Silicosis medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Silicosis is an irreversible condition with currently no cure. Treatment options currently focus on alleviating the symptoms and preventing complications.
Medical Therapy
- There is no evidence-based medical therapy for the treatment of silicosis.
- Generally, management of silicosis aims to manage other respiratory comorbidities (e.g. COPD or tuberculosis) and to treat silicosis-associated complications.
- Management goals include avoidance of exposure to silica, optimization of respiratory function, and preventive care.
Management of Acute Silicosis
- Whole-lung lavage is recommended in acute silicosis to improve gas exchange and eliminate residual alveolar debris.
- A modest short-term randomized clinical trial demonstrated that systemic steroids may be effective in the management of steroids, but the benefit has not been well-established.
Management of Chronic Silicosis
- Systemic steroid therapy are not recommended for the indication of chronic silicosis alone.
- However, systemic steroids may be administered to patients who are diagnosed with silicosis and have other indications for the use of steroids.
Supportive therapy
- Smoking cessation
- Supplemental oxygen is administered to prevent complications of chronic hypoxemia
- Bronchodilators may facilitate breathing if airflow limitation is present on spirometry.