Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Silicosis laboratory findings
Introduction
Overview
Overview
- There are no specific laboratory tests for the diagnosis of silicosis, except a careful occupational history. When silicosis is suspected due to the onset of respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea and productive cough or typical chest imaging findings, the evaluation is aimed at confirming the exposure history, assessing the degree of respiratory impairment.
Laboratory tests
Laboratory tests
- The following laboratory tests are helpful in excluding other causes.
- complete blood count with differential,
- Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibodies,
- Blood culture
- Sputum culture
- Brain natriuretic peptide
- Assessment of oxygenation is important, either with
- Pulse oxygen saturation
- Arterial blood gas, to determine the severity of respiratory impairment and whether the patient will be able to tolerate diagnostic procedures.
- As mycobacterial infection is often in the differential diagnosis or may develop as a complication, testing for latent tuberculosis via
- In the presence of fever, weight loss, hemoptysis, or complicated silicosis on radiographic imaging.
- Sputum smear and
- Sputum culture for mycobacteria are also obtained
References
References
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]