Chronic arsenicosis with varied pulmonary involvement – A case series

Abstract

Arsenic is an element which occurs naturally in the earth’s crust and in small quantities in rock, soil, water and air. Chronic arsenic toxicity produces various dermal and systemic manifestations including cancer. It may also cause different pulmonary diseases. Here, we have described a case series of three chronic arsenicosis patients having varied pulmonary involvements ranging from bronchiectasis to chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. They all had classic raindrop pigmentations with one patient developing squamous cell carcinoma. Pulmonary manifestations were severe with more cutaneous manifestations as well as more arsenic levels in hair and nail samples of patients. Manifestations also seemed severe with increased duration of exposure and more amount of arsenic in their drinking water.

Keywords

• Chronic arsenicosis
• Bronchiectasis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease