Pulmonary talc granulomas, pulmonary fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension resulting from intravenous injection of talc-containing drugs intended for oral use

William Clifford Roberts, MD

From the Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, the Department of Pathology, and the Section of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.

Corresponding author: William Clifford Roberts, MD, Baylor Heart and Vascular Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75246 (e-mail: wc.roberts@BaylorHealth.edu).

Talcosis or talc pneumoconiosis is an uncommon form of pulmonary dust disease first recognized over 100 years ago. Talcosis may follow inhalation of relatively low concentrations of talc dust over a long period or exposure to very high concentrations of the dust over a short time. A new form of talc pulmonary disease, described initially in the 1960s, occurs in intravenous drug addicts who also inject tablets intended for oral use. (BUMC Proceedings 2002;15:260-261)