Abstract

BackgroundChest radiography (CXR) is inferior to Thin-section computed tomography in the detection of asbestos related interstitial and pleural abnormalities. It remains unclear, however, whether these limitations are large enough to impair CXR´s ability in detecting the expected reduction in the frequency of these asbestos-related abnormalities (ARA) as exposure decreases.MethodsClinical evaluation, CXR, Thin-section CT and spirometry were obtained in 1418 miners and millers who were exposed to progressively lower airborne concentrations of asbestos. They were separated into four groups according to the type, period and measurements of exposure and/or procedures for controlling exposure: Group I (1940–1966/tremolite and chrysotile, without measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure); Group II (1967–1976/chrysotile only, without measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure); Group III (1977–1980/chrysotile only, initiated measurements of exposure and procedures for controlling exposure) and Group IV (after 1981/chrysotile only, implemented measurements of exposure and a comprehensive procedures for controlling exposure).ResultsIn all groups, CXR suggested more frequently interstitial abnormalities and less frequently pleural plaques than observed on Thin-section CT (p<0.050). The odds for asbestosis in groups of decreasing exposure diminished to greater extent at Thin-section CT than on CXR. Lung function was reduced in subjects who had pleural plaques evident only on Thin-section CT (p<0.050). In a longitudinal evaluation of 301 subjects without interstitial and pleural abnormalities on CXR and Thin-section CT in a previous evaluation, only Thin-section CT indicated that these ARA reduced as exposure decreased.ConclusionsCXR compared to Thin-section CT was associated with false-positives for interstitial abnormalities and false-negatives for pleural plaques, regardless of the intensity of asbestos exposure. Also, CXR led to a substantial misinformation of the effects of the progressively lower asbestos concentrations in the occurrence of asbestos-related diseases in miners and millers.

Highlights

  • CXR compared to Thin-section CT was associated with false-positives for interstitial abnormalities and false-negatives for pleural plaques, regardless of the intensity of asbestos exposure

  • Asbestos exposure is associated with a number of potential health hazards, including pulmonary fibrosis and pleural plaques

  • In a population with pretest risk of exposure to asbestos, several authors have described that the diagnosis or exclusion of asbestos related interstitial fibrosis or pleural plaques, should not be based exclusively on the radiograph, being necessary to confirm these findings on Thin-section CT [1, 2, 9, 12]

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Summary

Introduction

Asbestos exposure is associated with a number of potential health hazards, including pulmonary fibrosis (asbestosis) and pleural plaques. In a population with pretest risk of exposure to asbestos (i.e. mining workers), several authors have described that the diagnosis or exclusion of asbestos related interstitial fibrosis or pleural plaques, should not be based exclusively on the radiograph, being necessary to confirm these findings on Thin-section CT [1, 2, 9, 12]. These advantages of Thinsection CT are expected to be relevant in subjects with lower pre-test risk of disease and/or those with subtle abnormalities. Whether these limitations are large enough to impair CXRs ability in detecting the expected reduction in the frequency of these asbestos-related abnormalities (ARA) as exposure decreases

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