Objective To explore an effective method for early diagnosis of pneumosilicosis complicated with aspergillosis.
Methods Two cases of pneumosilicosis complicated with aspergillosis registered to the occupational disease department of Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital from 2012 to 2013 were analyzed, including the evaluation of high risk factors, lab oratory tests of serum total immunoglobulin (IgE), blood 1, 3 β-D glucan assay (G test) and galactomannan antigen (GM test), sputum culture, as well as chest CT features.
Results Long-term malnutrition, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and glucocorticoid were high risk factors of inducing pneumosilicosis complicated with aspergillosis. The increases of serum IgE, positive G test and GM test, and the "crescent sign" shown in the chest CT scan image were important auxiliary indicators for diagnosis.
Conclusion Appropriate lab oratory tests and chest CT features are helpful to the early diagnosis of pneumosilicosis complicated with pulmonary aspergillosis.