Respiration
Volume 57, Issue 5, 1990, Pages 325-328

Prospective clinical and radiologic study of zeolite-exposed Turkish immigrants in Sweden (Article)

Ozesmi M. , Hillerdal G.* , Svane B. , Widstrom O.
  • a Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Turkey
  • b Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Turkey
  • c Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Turkey
  • d Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Turkey

Abstract

Ninety-four persons from the village of Karain, Turkey, now residing in Stockholm, were investigated clinically and radiologically. In this village, environmental exposure to erionite, a fibrous zeolite, occurs, and there is an extremely high risk of mesothelioma among the villagers. Since an earlier investigation of the cohort in 1980, another 4 young persons have fallen ill with malignant mesothelioma in this group, where the incidence thus approaches 1% year and is the most common cause of death. Solitary pleural plaques were found in 6%, thinkening of the interlobar pleura in 4% and other radiologic signs of affection of the pleura in 2%. Thickening of the interlobar fissures were observed in 1 patient as the first sign of mesothelioma which has remained asymptomatic until 1 year later. The comparatively low incidence of pleural lesions in the cohort is probably due to the low mean age (36 years). Further follow-up could give clues to the pathogenesis of malignant mesothelioma.

Author Keywords

Turkey Zeolite Mesothelioma

Index Keywords

male thorax radiography human female priority journal immigrant clinical article Article Sweden adult zeolite Mesothelioma
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0025678988&doi=10.1159%2f000195865&partnerID=40&md5=c795c60347889a987b20356a3a67f268
DOI: 10.1159/000195865
ISSN: 00257931
Cited by: 11
Original Language: English