Uncommon evolution of fibrosing alveolitis in a hard metal grinder exposed to cobalt dusts

This study reports a case of fibrosing alveolitis with uncommon evolution in a 27-year-old male non-smoker, working as a hard metal grinder for 10 years. Personal and occupational history, routine clinical and laboratory check-up, chest X-rays, lung function tests, fiberoptic bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage and open lung biopsy returned a diagnosis of hard metal lung fibrosis. The patient felt greatly improved after removal from the workplace, without any therapy. At present, he is complaining of only mild exertional dyspnea and shows an attenuation of his ventilatory defect. The radiological picture has clearly improved and the cellular pattern of bronchoalveolar lavage was normal.