Journal of Case Reports in Medicine

Case Report ISSN: 2090-5351 Pulmonary Talcosis: A Granulomatous Lung Disease

Olufisayo Otusanya1*, Nishith Mewada1, Folarin Sogbetun1, Julum Nwanze2, Upendra Kaphle1,3

1Department of Pulmonary diseases, Critical care and Environmental Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisi- ana, USA

2Department of Pathology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

3Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Abstract

Pulmonary Talcosis is a rare foreign body granulomatous disease that occurs as a result of exposure to talc either by inhalation of talc particles or via intravascular injection of talc containing medications. Pulmonary Talcosis is often misdiagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterium infection or as many of their clinical and radiological findings overlap. We report a case of talcosis mimicking mycobacterial disease which was eventually diagnosed via lung biopsy. A detailed history and high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis and appropriate management.

Introduction revealed patchy nodular right middle and lower zone densities. CT of the chest revealed several scattered densities in a tree-in-bud pat- Pulmonary talcosis is a rare inflammatory lung disease due to intra- tern with some coalescent areas in right middle and lower lung zones venous or inhalational exposure to talc particles. Talcosis is underdi- (Figure 1). Initial treatment with noninvasive positive pressure venti- agnosed due to nonspecific clinical presentation. A detailed exposure lation, antibiotics and steroids were initiated for COPD exacerbation history with correlation with radiological findings may point towards and possible underlying . the diagnosis.

Case Presentation

A 56-year-old man presented to the hospital for medical evaluation prior to housing placement. He complained of occasional nonpro- ductive cough and a 20 lbs. weight loss for past 3 months. He denied dyspnea, chest pain, fever, night sweats or any current illicit drug use. His past medical history included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hepatitis C and polysubstance abuse (IV and oral benzodiazepines). He is a former 20-pack-yr smoker and is currently homeless Current medications included methadone and diazepam. The patient appeared disheveled and lethargic with multiple skin ex- coriations. His initial vital signs were temperature 98.6 F, heart rate of 94 beats per minute, respiratory rate 27 breaths per minute, blood pressure 124/81 mmHg and oxygen saturation of 74% at room air. Figure 1: Showing CT chest showing scattered micronodules in a Lungs were clear to auscultation. The rest of the physical examination was unremarkable. Correspondence to: Olufisayo Otusanya, Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Critical Care Medicine, Tulane University School of Medi- His initial blood work showed hemoglobin of 14.6g/dl, white blood cine, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112, Louisiana, USA, count of 25.9 x109/L, platelet count 233 x109/L, Sodium 127meq/L, Tel: (205) 566-8722; E-mail: [email protected] Chloride 86meq/L and Bicarbonate of 31meq/L. Arterial blood gas Keywords: Talcosis, , Granulomatous inflammation, on room air revealed a pH of 7.32, pCO2 of 66 and a pO2 of 57. The Talc-related lung disease, Foreign body granulomatosis rest of his comprehensive metabolic panel were within normal limits. T-spot, HIV and urine drug screen tests were negative. Chest X-ray Received: March 11, 2019; Accepted: March 19, 2019; Published: March 22, 2019 J Case Rep Med, 2019 doi: 10.25149/jcrm.v8i2.177 Volume 8(2): 1-3 Otusanya O (2019) Pulmonary Talcosis: A Foreign Body Granulomatous Lung Disease tree-in-bud pattern (red arrow) and airspace consolidation (blue ar- talc containing cosmetics and from cocaine sniffing [2]. Pulmonary row) talcosis can occur after a single massive exposure or after prolonged use of cosmetic products [3,4]. Intravascular talcosis occurs in indi- Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and transbron- viduals who inject talc-containing oral drugs such as heroin, pentazo- chial biopsies were performed. BAL revealed 70% neutrophils, 29% cine, methadone, methylphenidate, cocaine and amphetamine sulfate macrophages and 1% lymphocytes. Routine bacterial, mycobacterial [5,6]. In these individuals, talc particles are deposited in the pulmo- and fungal studies including acid fast bacilli and Pneumocystis jirove- nary vasculature and interstitium resulting in widespread granuloma- ci were negative. Surgical pathology revealed focal interstitial birefrin- tous inflammation in the lungs [2,3]. gent needle like particles with histiocytic reaction, acute and chronic peribronchiolitis (Figure 2). Final pathology was nega- The clinical manifestation of talcosis ranges from asymptomatic tive for granulomas or malignancy. to nonspecific symptoms such as exertional dyspnea, weight loss, chronic dry cough and night sweats. Chronic advanced disease can lead to , and right ven- tricular failure [5,7] Pulmonary function tests (PFT) often reveals a mixed obstructive and restrictive pattern with low diffusion capacity. Progressive disease can develop severe obstruction with or without air trapping. Initial chest imaging may reveal diffuse micronodular densities but as the disease progresses, coalescence of micronodules into masses occur notably in the perihilar areas similar to progressive massive fibrosis [5,6]. Talcosis is commonly misdiagnosed as other pulmonary conditions including pulmonary tuberculosis, atypical mycobacterial infections, , or sarcoidosis because of the overlap of clinical and radiological findings [2].

Bronchoscopy with BAL may not be diagnostic but is an important Figure 2: Histologic sections from the biopsy from right middle lobe part of the evaluation to rule out other entities. A definitive diagno- of the lung from the patient shows parenchymal acute and chronic sis requires tissue sampling by transbronchial needle biopsy or open inflammation with foreign material deposits consistent with talcosis. lung biopsy. The talc crystals appear as birefringent particles (identified by -ar Histologic examination reveals talc-containing granulomas which rows) by polarized light (a); Higher magnification shows acute bron- demonstrates birefringence under polarized light. The location of chiolitis and chronic peribronchiolitis (b); with histiocytic reaction granulomas and size of talc particles may give clues about the source around the foreign material deposits (c); AFB stains done were nega- of talc exposure. The presence of talc particles >5µm, with intravas- tive for acid fast organisms (d). cular and perivascular distribution of non-caseating granulomas is Discussion suggestive of intravascular talcosis while smaller particle size with peribronchial and alveolar distribution suggests inhalational expo- Pulmonary talcosis is a form of pulmonary foreign body granuloma- sure [2,6,8,9]. Granulomas disappear as the disease advances into tosis (PFBG) due to exposure to talc. Talc or hydrous magnesium fibrosis [10]. silicate is a natural mineral compound widely used in ceramic, paper, plastic, rubber, paint and cosmetic industries. Talc is also used as a No evidence based guidelines are available for the treatment of these lubricant and glidant in the production of oral medications [1] and it patients. Avoiding further talc exposure is the first step in manage- is also routinely used as an intrapleural sclerosant in the management ment. Patients with mild symptoms or chronic stable patients should of recurrent and . be given supportive care with oxygen, bronchodilator therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. For patients with severe acute symptoms Four types of talc-related lung disease are described in literature or progressive chronic disease, a trial of corticosteroids may be ben- which includes talco-silicosis, talco-asbestosis, pure talcosis and in- eficial. Patients who develop pulmonary hypertension may benefit travascular talcosis. The first three types occur due to inhalational from vasodilator therapy while patients who progress to advanced exposures to talc. Talco-silicosis and talco-asbestosis are both pneu- lung disease may be candidates for lung transplantation [5]. moconiosis associated with inhalational exposures to talc dust with high silica or asbestos content. Pure talcosis occurs from exposures to Our patient completed his course of antibiotics and steroids. His hy-

J Case Rep Med, 2019 doi: 10.25149/jcrm.v8i2.177 Volume 8(2): 2-3 Otusanya O (2019) Pulmonary Talcosis: A Foreign Body Granulomatous Lung Disease poxic improved and was discharged home on 2 li- CM, et al. (2010) Pulmonary talcosis: imaging findings.Lung ters of oxygen with plans to continue care as an outpatient. However, 188:165-171. [Crossref] the patient lost follow up afterwards. 6. Siddiqui MF, Saleem S, Badireddi S (2013) Pulmonary talcosis References with intravenous drug abuse. Respiratory care 58: e126-e128. [Crossref] 1. Morin G, Briens L (2013) The effect of lubricants on powder flowability for pharmaceutical application.AAPS PharmSciTech 7. Roberts WC (2002) Pulmonary talc granulomas, pulmonary fi- 14: 1158-1168. [Crossref] brosis, and pulmonary hypertension resulting from intravenous injection of talc-containing drugs intended for oral use. Proc 2. Shakoor A, Rahatullah A, Shah AA, Zubairi AB (2011) Pulmo- (Bayl Univ Med Cent) 15: 260-261. nary talcosis 10 years after brief teenage exposure to cosmetic talcum powder. BMJ case reports. 8. Griffith CC, Raval JS, Nichols L (2012) Intravascular Talcosis due to Intravenous Drug Use Is an Underrecognized Cause of 3. Jasuja S, Kuhn BT, Schivo M, Adams JY (2017) Cosmetic Pulmonary Hypertension. Pulm Med 2012: 617531. Talc-Related Pulmonary Granulomatosis. J Investig Med High Impact Case Rep 5: 2324709617728527. [Crossref] 9. Abraham JL, Brambilla C (1980) Particle size for differentiation between inhalation and injection pulmonary talcosis. Environ 4. Cruthirds TP, Cole FH, Paul RN (1977) Pulmonary talcosis as Res 21: 94-96. a result of massive aspiration of baby powder. South Med J 70: 626-628. 10. Gysbrechts C, Michiels E, Verbeken E, Verschakelen J, Dinsdale D, et al. (1998) Interstitial lung disease more than 40 years after a 5. Marchiori E, Lourenco S, Gasparetto TD, Zanetti G, Mano 5 year occupational exposure to talc. Eur Respir J 11: 1412-1415.

Copyright: © 2019 Otusanya O. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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