Anthracosilicosis is very rarely described in the medical literature and the term was created as a combination of two separate disorders [1] [2]:

• Anthracosis - Defined as the accumulation of carbon in the lungs as a result of exposure to significant amounts of coal dust or smoke in heavily polluted areas or in the industrial setting, anthracosis is primarily an asymptomatic condition resulting in black discoloration of the lungs [1] [3] [4]. However, cough and dyspnea, particularly after substantial deposition of carbon, are described as potential symptoms [3] [4].
• Silicosis - Being one of the most severe forms of occupational lung disease due to its life-threatening risk in the absence of an early diagnosis and early prevention, silicosis stems from inhalation of crystalline silica [5]. Mining, stone cutting, quarrying, cement manufacturing and stone, clay or glass industries are industries where workers can inhale significant concentrations of this mineral [4]. Symptoms such as dyspnea, breathlessness, and cough may appear acutely (within weeks or months) when very high amounts are inhaled, or after years of persistent occupational exposure [4] [5].

Consequently, the clinical presentation of dyspnea, cough, and breathlessness is typically seen, but reports also show that melanoptysis (black-pigmented sputum) and chest pain might also be present [1].

• Cough

  However, cough and dyspnea, particularly after substantial deposition of carbon, are described as potential symptoms. [symptoma.com]

  Chronic cough (with increased risk of chronic bronchitis). Shortness of breath. Chronic cough. Black sputum. Lung dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension. Heart problems. [medigoo.com]

  In chronic silicosis, you may only have an abnormal chest X-ray in the beginning and then slowly develop a cough and breathing difficulty. More than a third of people with silicosis have phlegm production and cough. [lung.org]

  The symptoms resulting from this include a cough, with or without sputum, shortness of breath particularly on exertion, and chest tightness. [silicosis.com]

  People develop difficulty breathing during exercise that sometimes progresses to shortness of breath even at rest, and some people also have a cough that may or may not produce sputum. Diagnosis is made with a chest x-ray or computed tomography. [merckmanuals.com]

• Dyspnea

  However, cough and dyspnea, particularly after substantial deposition of carbon, are described as potential symptoms. [symptoma.com]

  Hospital “B” (12 months later) Chief Complaint : Acute dyspnea had occurred a week earlier. [aoemj.biomedcentral.com]

  As the disease progresses, airflow limitation occurs, manifested by dyspnea and cough. Eventually, cor pulmonale and respiratory failure develop. [emedicine.medscape.com]

  There was gradual progress of dyspnea, edemata of the lower extremities, lumbar spine. Objectively: pale skin, weakening of the heart sounds, anasarca. AP- 160/100 mm Hg. [slideshare.net]

  Collins filed his claim for compensation on July 7, 1969, shortly after being at a hospital where an entry reading "Dyspnea on exertion * * * Will apply for compensation" was made. Death occurred on May 16, 1973. [law.justia.com]

• Rales

  On examination: deafening of the percutory sounds in interscapular region, rough breath sounds, dry disseminated rales. On fingers' skin - greyish 3. warts. Factory's sectorial doctor suspects asbestosis. [slideshare.net]

• Chronic Cough

  Chronic cough (with increased risk of chronic bronchitis). Shortness of breath. Chronic cough. Black sputum. Lung dysfunction. Pulmonary hypertension. Heart problems. [medigoo.com]

• Chest Pain

  Consequently, the clinical presentation of dyspnea, cough, and breathlessness is typically seen, but reports also show that melanoptysis (black-pigmented sputum) and chest pain might also be present. [symptoma.com]

  Common Silicosis Symptoms: shortness of breath following physical exertion severe cough fatigue loss of appetite chest pains fever cyanosis (bluish skin) and others. (See your doctor and get diagnosed). [silicosis.com]

  In acute silicosis, you may experience fever and sharp chest pain along with breathing difficulty. These symptoms can come on suddenly. [lung.org]

  Anthracosis symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue) are progressive in nature it's cool buy prednisone 10mg. [carbohealth.com]

  Feedback The correct answer is: Ulcer of stomach, complicated with bleeding Question 42 Not answered Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text A 29-year-old female patient complains of dyspnea, heaviness and chest pain on the right, body temperature [slideshare.net]

• Cyanosis

  Common Silicosis Symptoms: shortness of breath following physical exertion severe cough fatigue loss of appetite chest pains fever cyanosis (bluish skin) and others. (See your doctor and get diagnosed). [silicosis.com]

  On physical exam: there is edema of lips, eyelids, cyanosis. What medicine is to be taken first? Select one: a. Euphylin b. Adrenalin c. Prednisolone d. Lasix e. [slideshare.net]

• Back Pain

  Feedback The correct answer is: Choledocholithiasis Question 109 Not answered Mark 0.00 out of 1.00 Flag question Question text A 25-year-old man has facial edema, moderate back pains. [slideshare.net]

• Sleep Disturbance

  A 43-year-old female patient complains of unstable defecation with frequent constipations, abdominal swelling, headache, sleep disturbance. Body weight is unchanged. What disease are these clinical presentations typical for? Select one: a. [slideshare.net]

Regardless of the type of occupational or environmental lung disease, a detailed patient history, and a thorough physical examination are the first and most important steps in the workup. Chronic respiratory complaints must prompt the physicians to obtain information about the patient's occupation and daily exposure to air pollution, which has been confirmed as a possible cause of anthracosilicosis [1]. Lung auscultation may reveal wheezing, and along with symptoms of cough, dyspnea or breathlessness, is sufficient evidence to look for an underlying cause through lung function tests and imaging studies. In most cases, an obstructive pattern of impaired lung function is observed at spirometry [1] [4] [5]. On the other hand, plain radiography is a useful initial method for assessment, as non-homogeneous pulmonary infiltrates and reticulonodular opacities are typical for anthracosis and anthracosilicosis [1] [3], whereas calcified hilar nodes producing an "eggshell" pattern is typical for silicosis [4]. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), however, is a superior imaging procedure compared to chest X-rays and is recommended whenever possible due to its ability to visualize the exact site of the nodules and identify the extent and nature of the opacities [1] [4]. Finally, bronchoscopy may be implemented as a definite diagnostic measure, showing the abundance of anthracotic pigments and the presence of birefringent particles on polarized light microscopy, the main hallmarks of anthracosis and silicosis, respectively [1].

• Pulmonary Infiltrate

  On the other hand, plain radiography is a useful initial method for assessment, as non-homogeneous pulmonary infiltrates and reticulonodular opacities are typical for anthracosis and anthracosilicosis, whereas calcified hilar nodes producing an "eggshell [symptoma.com]

1. Spalgais S, Gothi D, Jaiswal A, Gupta K. Nonoccupational anthracofibrosis/anthracosilicosis from Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, India: A case series. Indian J Occup Environ Med. 2015;19(3):159-166.
2. Vanhoenacker FM, Van den Brande P, De Schepper AM. Hepatosplenic antracosilicosis: a rare cause of splenic calcifications. Eur Radiol. 2001;11(7):1184-1186.
3. Mirsadraee M. Anthracosis of the Lungs: Etiology, Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis: A Review. Tanaffos. 2014;13(4):1-13.
4. Longo DL, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 18e. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2012.
5. Mazurek JM, Schleiff PL, Wood JM, Hendricks SA, Weston A; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Notes from the Field: Update: Silicosis Mortality - United States, 1999-2013. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2015;64(23):653-654.