OBJECTIVETo investigate the pathological characteristics of draining pulmonary lymph nodes in coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) and study their significance for the early diagnosis of CWP.

METHODSThe autopsy materials of 12 coal workers were subjected to HE staining and observed under a light microscope, and a retrospective analysis was performed considering the occupational history.

RESULTSThe age range of 12 cases was 46∼71 years (mean, 58 years), and the exposure time range was 3∼32 years (mean, 22.8 years). The draining pulmonary lymph nodes of 1 case with dust reaction mostly had coal dust deposition, mild pulmonary fibrosis, and local dust fibrosis in the medullary sinus; 1 case of stage I anthracosilicosis mainly showed extensive dust fibrosis and coal dust deposition; 8 cases of stage II anthracosilicosis mainly showed dust fibrosis and silicotic nodules; 1 case of stage III anthracosilicosis and 1 case of stage III silicosis mainly showed silicotic nodules' fusion with each other, and lymph nodes' adhesion and formation of massive fibrosis, and the formation of silicotic nodules was especially obvious in cases of stage III silicosis.

CONCLUSIONThe dust lesions of draining pulmonary lymph nodes become severer with higher severity of pulmonary lesions in cases of CWP. The cases of simple silicosis have earlier and severer lesions in draining pulmonary lymph nodes than in lung tissue.