Based on study findings, researchers have proposed a new term for respirable crystalline silica exposure-related granulomatous lung disease: silicosarcoidosis.

“We found a range of histologic abnormalities in a multinational case series of workers with silicosarcoidosis that overlap with features of both silicosis and sarcoidosis,” the researchers wrote.

Histology findings indicated granulomas in 86% and lymphocytic inflammation and/or lymphoid aggregates in 94% of patients with evaluable lung tissue. Lung interstitial findings showed silicotic nodules in 39%, mixed-dust macules/nodules in 44%, and birefringent dust in 50%, according to the study.