Korean J Radiol.  2016 Oct;17(5):674-683. 10.3348/kjr.2016.17.5.674.

Radiologic Diagnosis of Asbestosis in Korea

• Cha YK
• Kim JS
• Kim Y
• Kim YK

• KMID: 2458059
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/kjr.2016.17.5.674

Abstract

Asbestosis is the most important change noted in the lung parenchyma after environmental and occupational exposure to asbestos fibers. It is characterized by diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. In Korea, the incidence of asbestosis will continue to increase for many years to come and the government enacted the Asbestos Damage Relief Law in 2011 to provide compensation to those suffering from asbestos-related diseases. Radiologic evaluation is necessary for diagnosis of asbestosis, and radiologists play a key role in this process. Therefore, it is important for radiologists to be aware of the various imaging features of asbestosis.

Keyword

Asbestosis; Asbestos; Pulmonary; Computed tomography; Radiography; Radiology; Occupational disease

MeSH Terms

Asbestos/adverse effects
Asbestosis/*diagnostic imaging/etiology
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnosis
Lung/diagnostic imaging
Lung Neoplasms/etiology
Mesothelioma/etiology
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects
Radiography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Asbestos

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 56-year-old male resident for 15 years near asbestos mine with work history at construction company for 10 years. Chest CT shows irregular lobulated enhancing nodule in right lower lobe, which are confirmed as lung adenocarcinoma. There are multiple discrete pleural plaques (arrowheads) in both lower hemithoraces.

• 

  Fig. 2 74-year-old male resident for 33 years under asbestos roof. A. Chest PA radiograph shows reticular opacities in both lower lungs. B. Magnification of right lower lung shows reticular and small nodular opacities (arrows). PA = posteroanterior

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  Fig. 3 57-year-old male resident near asbestos mine since birth. Chest PA radiograph shows reticular densities and honeycomb cysts in both lungs. PA = posteroanterior

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  Fig. 4 CT findings of patient of Figure 2. Chest CT shows honeycomb cysts (arrows) in subpleural portions of both lower lobes.

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  Fig. 5 73-year-old female resident for 34 years near asbestos mine. CT shows obvious (arrows) and faint (arrowheads) dot-like opacities in subpleural portions of lower lung.

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  Fig. 6 60-year-old male resident near asbestos mine since birth with 3 year work history at mine. Prone CT reveals subpleural curvilinear lines (arrows) in lower lungs.

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  Fig. 7 82-year-old male resident near asbestos mine since birth. Prone CT reveals parenchymal bands (arrows) extending through lung to contact pleural surface.

• 

  Fig. 8 79-year-old male resident for 43 years near asbestos mine. CT shows multiple parenchymal bands (arrows) adjacent to pleural plaques (arrowheads) in left lower lobe.

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  Fig. 9 79-year-old female resident for 60 years near asbestos mine with 5 year work history at mine. A, B. CT shows interlobular septal thickening (arrows) (A) and intralobular interstitial thickening (arrowheads) (B) connected to peripheral pulmonary arteries.

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  Fig. 10 69-year-old male with 20 year work history at construction company. A. CT shows ground-glass opacity (arrows), traction bronchiectasis (arrowheads) and honeycomb cysts. B. CT shows multilayered honeycomb cysts in both lower lungs.

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  Fig. 11 Dependent atelectasis in patient with history of asbestos exposure. A. On supine CT, subpleural line is visible in posterior portion of superior segment of right lower lobe (arrows). B. On prone CT, subpleural line is disappeared, indicative that thin posterior opacity is dependent atelectasis.

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