The pathomorphological aspects for the classification of pneumoconioses

The present national classification of pneumoconioses was adopted 15 years ago. During this time span clinical morphology, a new branch of medical science, was formed and developed. So, the new approaches inspired classic pathologic anatomy and experimental pulmonology to assemble more precise and somehow refined knowledge of pneumoconioses, including the classification. Pneumoconiosis as diffuse pneumonitis can develop 2 main types: interstitial and granulomatous. Both types are characterized by progressive stages of morphogenesis, which are different in various loci of lungs. Those stages are: alveolar lipoproteinosis, serous and desquamative alveolitis, coniotic lymphangitis, coniotic pneumosclerosis. First three of them compose alteration and dystrophic period of the disease, the last one demonstrates pulmonary fibrosis. During the coniotic lymphangitis granulomas could be formed of either macrophages, or epithelioid cells.