A 55-year-old woman presents with progressive dyspnoea. Chest X-ray shows bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with eggshell calcification. She has a history of sandblasting. Which diagnosis is most likely?
- A Tuberculosis
- B Silicosis ✓
- C Lymphoma
- D Sarcoidosis
Correct answer: B. Silicosis
Explanation
Silicosis classically shows eggshell (peripheral) calcification of hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes, typically in patients with occupational exposure such as sandblasting. Sarcoidosis shows bilateral hilar adenopathy but rarely eggshell calcification. TB may calcify nodes but usually asymmetrically. Lymphoma nodes are not calcified at presentation.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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