Talc granulomatosis. A differential diagnosis of interstitial lung disease in HIV patients

Chest. 2000 Jul;118(1):258-60. doi: 10.1378/chest.118.1.258.

Abstract

Consumers of adulterated drugs may present with talc-induced interstitial lung disease. A transbronchial biopsy specimen showing granulomas with intracellular talc crystals is necessary to confirm this diagnosis. In patients infected with HIV, such a condition can be indistinguishable at first glance from opportunistic infections or other pulmonary diseases. A case is presented of a seropositive patient whose chest radiographs showed a diffuse interstitial pattern.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / diagnostic imaging
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / etiology*
  • Granuloma, Foreign-Body / pathology
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / diagnostic imaging
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / etiology*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / pathology
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / etiology*
  • Lung Diseases, Interstitial / pathology
  • Male
  • Radiography
  • Talc / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Talc