[Chronic berylliosis]

Abstract

Chronic Berylliosis (CB) is an occupational disorder which needs to be considered in the diagnostic work-up of granulomatous pulmonary diseases. Germany imports increasing amounts of beryllium which causes increased occupational exposure and this fact suggests that CB is underdiagnosed. Since CB is a perfect phenocopy of sarcoidosis, it is assumed that many cases are hidden in the cohort of sarcoidosis patients. This review presents the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapy of CB.