Chalicosis | |
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Other names | Flint disease |
Specialty | Respirology |
Chalicosis is a form of pneumoconiosis affecting the lungs or bronchioles, found mainly among stonecutters.[1] The disease is caused by the inhalation of fine particles of stone.[2] The term is from Greek, χάλιξ, gravel.
Occupations with significant exposure to stone dust are at an increased risk of chalicosis include:
Signs and symptoms of chalicosis are slow to develop and thus patients may not show signs of incapacity until years after exposure.[4] It may even take up to 10 years before manifestations of the disorder are present.[3] Signs and symptoms include:
There is no definitive cure for chalicosis,[5] nor is there a specific targeted therapy.[3] Current treatment of this lung disorder primarily involves managing respiratory symptoms, associated comorbidities, and complications, with the overarching goal of enhancing the patient's quality of life.[5][3] These include: