A 48-year-old coal miner presents with progressive dyspnoea and a chest X-ray showing bilateral upper-zone nodular opacities with eggshell calcification of hilar lymph nodes. Which occupational lung disease is MOST likely?

• A Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (CWP)
• B Asbestosis
• C Byssinosis
• D Silicosis ✓

Explanation

Eggshell calcification of hilar lymph nodes is the pathognomonic radiological sign of silicosis, caused by chronic inhalation of free crystalline silica (SiO₂). Coal miners who work in rock tunnelling involving siliceous rock are exposed to silica dust in addition to coal dust; CWP shows progressive massive fibrosis without eggshell calcification. Asbestosis causes basal fibrosis with pleural plaques and mesothelioma risk. Byssinosis (cotton dust) causes Monday morning tightness and does not produce nodular opacities.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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