A 45-year-old coal miner presents with progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) after 20 years of underground work. The chest X-ray shows bilateral upper lobe opacities with background nodularity (category 3 by ILO classification). Which occupational lung disease does PMF represent the advanced form of?
- A Asbestosis
- B Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP) ✓
- C Silicosis
- D Byssinosis
Correct answer: B. Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP)
Explanation
Progressive Massive Fibrosis is the advanced complicated form of Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP), caused by inhalation of coal dust. It develops on a background of simple CWP (characterized by nodules <10 mm on ILO classification) and progresses to large opacities >1 cm (PMF). Silicosis is caused by crystalline silica and has a different radiographic pattern with more upper lobe nodularity. Asbestosis shows basal fibrosis with pleural plaques. Byssinosis is caused by cotton dust and manifests with Monday morning dyspnoea without fibrosis.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.