Microscopic polyangiitis associated with pleuropericarditis, pulmonary embolism and pulmonary hemorrhage as a complication of silicosis

Silica (silicon dioxide) occupational exposure has been linked to both pulmonary and extra-pulmonary toxicity. Silicosis is the major pulmonary toxicity, which has also been associated with the development of collagen-vascular disease and with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-positive vasculitis, especially perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (P-ANCA). The most common pulmonary manifestations of microscopic polyangitis (MPA) are interstitial fibrosis and alveolar hemorrhage. We describe a patient who had unusual presentation of microscopic polyangitis, characterized by lung hemorrhage, rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, pleuropericarditis and pulmonary embolism that was associated with a history of silica exposure and radiologic evidence for silicosis.