Occupational exposure to barium and its numerous forms (most important being barium sulfate) through inhalation was described throughout the 20th century as an asymptomatic form of a nonfibrotic and uncommon type of pneumoconiosis. [1] [2] Manufacturing of lithopone, a white pigment composed primarily of barium sulfate, as well as arc welding and manufacture of paints, paper, glass, rubber, electronic components (in the form of barium titanate) can be the source of this mineral [2] [3]. Consequently, workers (predominantly males) involved in these industries may inhale significant amounts of barium, but very few reports have addressed symptomatic patients in whom a mild cough was reported as the only complaint [2] [3]. In fact, abnormal clinical findings accompanied by an inability to work and frequent leave of absence, as well as impaired lung function, is never reported if baritosis alone is identified. For this reason, it is classified into the group of "benign pneumoconiosis" [3]. Moreover, even short cessation of exposure to barium dust can result in complete resolution of radiographic findings, which are often the only evidence of this condition [3]. However, baritosis may concomitantly develop with other more dangerous types of occupational lung disease, such as asbestosis, silicosis, berylliosis, and coal worker pneumoconiosis. In such disorders, progressive decline in respiratory function accompanied by a cough, hemoptysis, and dyspnea is frequently noted, especially if the diagnosis is made after years or decades of exposure [1]. The chronic exposure to barium can lead to the presentation of symptoms like a dry cough, cough with expectoration, wheezing, shortness of breath, sniffing and nasal irritation.

• Mucosal Edema

  Short of Breath and Wheezing- The persistent inflammation of bronchioles and alveoli causes mucosal edema and thickening followed by wheezing and shortness of breath. [epainassist.com]

• Cough

  Cough Wheezing Nasal irritationIn some cases, it is asymptomatic. The barium particles can be seen as opaque shadows on the chest X-rays of people with baritosis. [en.wikipedia.org]

  Expectorant The persistent cough should be treated with expectorant. Expectorant helps to soften mucosa and helps to cough out the sputum and barium particles. Cough Suppressants Irritation of throat and dry cough is treated with cough suppressants. [epainassist.com]

  Symptoms and Signs Asymptomatic Cough Wheezing Nose irritation Asymptomatic Cough Wheezing Nose irritation Cases In a small factory where barytes was crushed, milled and graded nine cases of baritosis happened. [dianamossop.com]

  However, being a benign condition, it neither interferes with lung function nor causes symptoms other than a mild cough. After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. Prognosis - Baritosis Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

• Persistent Cough

  Expectorant The persistent cough should be treated with expectorant. Expectorant helps to soften mucosa and helps to cough out the sputum and barium particles. Cough Suppressants Irritation of throat and dry cough is treated with cough suppressants. [epainassist.com]

• Nasal Irritation

  Frequent Sniffing and Nasal Irritation- In few cases barium deposits in nasal mucosa causes irritation of nasal mucosal membrane. The barium deposits in nasal mucosa causes nasal irritation. Patient often complaints of sneezing and nasal itching. [epainassist.com]

  The chronic exposure to barium can lead to the presentation of symptoms like a dry cough, cough with expectoration, wheezing, shortness of breath, sniffing and nasal irritation. [symptoma.com]

• Aspiration

  Pulmonary baritosis (or simply known as baritosis ) is type of benign non-fibrotic pneumoconiosis 2 which can be precipitated by aspiration of barium sulfate particles. [radiopaedia.org]

• Mediastinal Disease

  Authors Show Affiliations, Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, Division of Thoracic Surgery, Athens University School of Medicine, Athens, Greece [email protected] Source MeSH Barium Sulfate Biopsy, Needle Bronchoscopy Humans Lymph Nodes Male Mediastinal [unboundmedicine.com]

• Nausea

  Nausea with anxiety. Nausea causes great anxiety. Diarrhea. Continuous anxious nausea, straining to vomit, with sweat on forehead. Diarrhea. Nausea with restlessness and great anxiety. Rheumatism. Nausea with faintness. Pregnancy. [legatum.sk]

  […] vom., for great debility, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting. Lycopodium : Stoppage of the nose at nighty dull head, burning pain in the forehead. [ebooksread.com]

• Abdominal Pain

  Abdominal pains increasing and very frequent discharges from bowels of watery matter. Most violent pain in abdomen, sacral and coccygeal region and in loins. Chronic metritis. Burning in abdomen. Beating and pulsation in abdomen. [legatum.sk]

Because signs and symptoms of baritosis are virtually non-existent, the diagnosis can often be made only after the use of radiographic findings supported by patient history that will confirm exposure to barium. Plain radiography is a useful initial method that can detect fine nodular lesions and small ring-shaped shadows that point to deposition of dust in the alveoli and bronchioles [2]. Computed tomography (CT), however, is considered as a superior method for diagnosing occupational lung diseases, and extremely dense opacities on high-resolution CT in the basal segments of lower lobes are most important findings that suggest baritosis [4]. A distinction from other types of pneumoconiosis can be made based on the absence of fibrosis, which is typical for asbestosis, silicosis and other more severe forms [2] [3].

• X-Ray Abnormal

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. "Baritosis". Medcyclopaedia. GE. [en.wikipedia.org]

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. References Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976 Feb;31(1):30-9. PMID 1257935 Categories: Radiology Barium [chemeurope.com]

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. Prognosis - Baritosis Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

  After exposure to barium dust ceases, the X-ray abnormalities gradually resolve. References Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976 Feb;31(1):30-9. [wikidoc.org]

  Other Pneumoconiosis: More than 40 inhaled minerals cause lung lesions and x-ray abnormalities. [histopathology-india.net]

The condition generally appears 1 to 2 years after exposure, does not affect the function of the lung, and appears to go away without treatment after exposure stops. [2] Last updated: 11/14/2016 [rarediseases.info.nih.gov]

The condition generally appears 1 to 2 years after exposure, does not affect the function of the lung, and appears to go away without treatment after exposure stops. [checkorphan.org]

What Are Treatments For Baritosis? Eliminate Exposure- The most effective treatment once the diagnosis is confirmed is to eliminate the exposure to barium dust. Expectorant The persistent cough should be treated with expectorant. [epainassist.com]

Baritosis Patient Handouts on Baritosis Directions to Hospitals Treating Baritosis Risk calculators and risk factors for Baritosis Healthcare Provider Resources Symptoms of Baritosis Causes & Risk Factors for Baritosis Diagnostic studies for Baritosis Treatment [wikidoc.org]

[…] radiographic abnormalities radiographic appearances radiological renal respiratory tract result rheumatoid disease rheumatoid factors sarcoid tubercles Scadding sclerosis seen serum shadowing silicosis simple pneumoconiosis sputum symptoms syndrome tissue treatment [books.google.com]

Prognosis - Baritosis Not supplied. [checkorphan.org]

[…] lung fields lupus pernio lymph nodes lymphocytes macrophages mesothelioma mottling nerve nodular nodules occasionally occur onset opacities pathogenesis Pathology patients peripheral plaques pleural effusion pneumoconiosis polyarteritis nodosa present prognosis [books.google.com]

Two major issues complicate the etiology of pneumoconioses: 1) First is the variety of dusts to which the sufferer may have been exposed. Often workers exposed to inorganic dusts work in several occupations. [histopathology-india.net]

1. Chong S, Lee KS, Chung MJ, Han J, Kwon OJ, Kim TS. Pneumoconiosis: comparison of imaging and pathologic findings. Radiographics. 2006;26(1):59-77.
2. Seaton A, Ruckley VA, Addison J, Brown WR. Silicosis in barium miners. Thorax. 1986;41(8):591-595.
3. Doig AT. Baritosis: a benign pneumoconiosis. Thorax. 1976;31(1):30-39.
4. Ceylan N, Bayraktaroglu S, Savaş R, Alper H. CT findings of high-attenuation pulmonary abnormalities. Insights Imaging. 2010;1(4):287-292.