Korean J Occup Environ Med.  2006 Jun;18(2):87-93.

Imaging Findings among Retired Workers Who Were Long-term Exposed to Asbestos : Lung and Pleural Diseases Prevalence on Chest Radiograph and HRCT

• Kim KN
• Kim JI
• Lee KN
• Jung KY
• Kim JY

Abstract

PURPOSE
To determine imaging findings among retired workers who were long-term exposed to asbestos. Lung and pleural diseases prevalence were studied on chest radiograph and HRCT.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Eighteen workers who were long-term exposedto asbestos occupationally in shipyards were examined by chest radiographs (PA and lateral view) and HRCT (high-resolution computed tomography).
RESULTS
In 12 of 18 subjects (66.7%), asbestos-related pleural abnormalities were evident in diaphragmatic, lateral chest wall and costophrenic angle of the pleura on chest radiographs. The thickness of pleural plaques at the lateral chest wall varied. Diffuse pleural thickening was evident in 2 workers. Parenchymal abnormalities were not found on chest radiographs. On HRCT, pleural thickening wasobserved in 16 of 18 subjects (88.9%), in the areas of juxtavertebral, diaphragmatic, anterior, lateral, mediastinal and fissural pleura. Curvilinear subpleural lines representing early parenchymal asbestosis were found in the lower posterior lung in three of 18 subjects (16.7%).
CONCLUSIONS
In long term asbestos-exposed workers, the asbestos-related pleural disease was 66.7% on chest radiographs and 88.9% on HRCT. The authors suggest that this group should be followed up periodically

Keyword

Asbestos; Radiograph; HRCT

MeSH Terms

Asbestos*
Asbestosis
Lung*
Occupations
Pleura
Pleural Diseases*
Prevalence*
Radiography, Thoracic*
Thoracic Wall
Thorax*
Asbestos