J Korean Soc Radiol.  2015 Dec;73(6):347-356. 10.3348/jksr.2015.73.6.347.

Radiologic Diagnosis of Asbestos-Related Lung Cancer

• Kim YK
• Kim JS
• Kim Y

• KMID: 2130939
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2015.73.6.347

Abstract

Asbestos was previously widely used due to its many favorable characteristics, such as durability, flexibility, and inexpensiveness. Asbestos has been prohibited in Korea since 2009, however, asbestos-related diseases remain an important public health issue because of its long latency time. Lung cancer is one of the most harmful asbestos-related diseases and patients with asbestos-related lung cancer receive compensation by law. The diagnosis of asbestos-related diseases is based on a detailed interview regarding the asbestos exposure, in addition to clinical, radiological, pathological, and laboratory data. This review provides a radiologic diagnosis of asbestos-related lung cancer.

MeSH Terms

Asbestos
Compensation and Redress
Diagnosis*
Humans
Jurisprudence
Korea
Lung Neoplasms*
Lung*
Pliability
Public Health
Asbestos

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Representative CT images of asbestosis; specific (A-C) and nonspecific (D-F) findings. A. Subpleural dot-like and branching opacities. B. Subpleural curvilinear opacities. C. Parenchymal band. D. Intralobular interstitial thickening (arrows). E. Intralobular interstitial thickening (arrows) and interlobular septal thickening. F. Honeycombing.

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  Fig. 2 Representative CT images of pleural plaque. A. Multiple bilateral plaques. B. Diaphragmatic pleural plaques. C. Noncalcified plaque (arrows). D. Thin plaque (arrows).

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  Fig. 3 A 67-year-old male who had been a slate factory worker for 20 years. Chest PA (A) and lateral (B) views show a mass in the left middle lung zone. Pleural plaques (arrows) are seen along the right lateral chest wall and diaphragmatic pleura. Axial (C) and coronal (D) CT images show a lobulated mass with heterogeneous enhancement in left upper lobe and pleural plaques (arrows) in both hemithoraces. The mass was diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma by percutaneous needle biopsy.

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  Fig. 4 A 74-year-old male who had been asbestos mine worker for 5 years and resided near the asbestos mine for 27 years. Forty-four years after his initial exposure to asbestos, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma developed in the right middle lobe (A). Calcified pleural plaques are seen in both hemithoraces and diaphragms (A, B). On lung window setting images (C-E), parenchymal bands and intralobular interstitial thickening suggestive of asbestosis (arrows) are noted adjacent the plaques.

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  Fig. 5 A 55-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma in the left upper lobe. He was a construction worker for 24 years. Coronal reformatted image (A) shows a mass suggestive of lung cancer in the left upper lobe. Axial images (B, C) show honeycombing in both subpleural lungs, predominantly in the lower lung zones. In the area of less severe fibrosis, subpleural dot-like opacities, suggestive of early findings of asbestosis, are seen (arrows).

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