OBJECTIVETo investigate the histopathological features, complications, diagnosis, and differential diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP).

METHODSThe lung tissue sections from 14 autopsy cases of CWP were subjected to HE staining and observed under a light microscope, and a retrospective analysis was performed considering the occupational history and clinical features.

RESULTSThe 14 cases were 46-71 years of age (mean, 57.7 years). Two cases were diagnosed as dust reaction, 1 case as simple CWP (stage I anthracosilicosis), and 11 cases as complicated CWP (9 cases of stage II anthracosilicosis, 1 case of stage III anthracosilicosis, and 1 case of stage III silicosis). Twelve cases were complicated by chronic bronchitis and emphysema, 8 cases by pulmonary heart disease, 4 cases by pulmonary tuberculosis, 3 cases by liver cirrhosis and liver cancer with pulmonary metastases, and 2 cases by cerebral hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONAmong patients with CWP, the pathological changes of lung tissue become more complex with increasing years of dust exposure. Coal macule is the common pathological feature of CWP, and dust nodules and massive fibrosis are the necessary indices of pathological diagnosis.