PulmonaryTalcosis in an Immunocompromised Patient The first case of pulmonarytalcosis or talc pneumoconiosis related to inhalation of talc during its extraction and processing in mines was described by Thorel in 1896. Pulmonarytalcosis is most commonly seen secondary to occupational exposure or intravenous (IV) drug abuse and, occasionally, in excessive use of cosmetic talc. Based on literature review, there has been an increase in reported incidents of pulmonarytalcosis due to various forms of exposure to the mineral. We report an 82-year-old man who is diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome positive pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated with palliative imatinib who presented with chronic hemoptysis and dyspnea shortly after his diagnosis. His symptoms were initially
cause. Immediate cessation of the medication showed marked clinical improvement and resolution after 10 days. [10] Illicit drugsIllicit drug abuse is now regarded as the most common cause of drug-related lung toxicity. [48] Pulmonarytalcosis is a known complication of intravenous drug abuse. High-resolution CT shows diffuse micronodularity resulting from a foreign-body granulomatous response
), stroke, or venous embolism. A small proportion of PE is due to the embolization of air, fat, and talc in the drugs of people who inject substances. More commonly, the inflammatory response to these foreign objects causes granulation tissue to form in the capillary beds, resulting in vasculitis, and, when it occurs in the pulmonary capillary bed, potentially pulmonarytalcosis. Hitting arteries and nerves is dangerous, painful, and presents its own similar spectrum of problems.The injection of talc from crushed pills has been associated with pulmonarytalcosis in intravenous drug users.[8]Harm reduction[edit]A sterile and safe injection kit obtained from a needle exchange programHarm reduction is a public health approach that serves as an alternative to abstinence-only guidance. While it does