Original scientific paper
Diagnostic Value of Clinical, Radiologic and Functional Examinations of Patients with Pulmonary and Pleural Asbestosis
Ivan Šimundić
Stipan Janković
Jadranka Tocilj
Klaudije Gjakun
Iva Jurić
Juroslav Roglić
Vesna Čapkun
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine sensitivity of individual clinical, radiologic and functional examinations for pulmonary and pleural asbestosis, and their correlations. The study included 180 patients of both sexes. All patients underwent plain and oblique x-rays by so-called "hard" radiography, and 60 patients were additionally examined by high-resolution computed tomography. Functional tests included measurements of vital capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Pleural plaques are a frequent sign of pleural asbestosis. In our study, chest x-rays confirmed the presence of pleural plaques in 25 (41.6%), and high-resolution computed tomography in 51 (85%) out of 60 patients. High-resolution computed tomography detected initial pulmonary fibrosis in 11 (18.4%) of 60 patients with 0/0 and 0/1 perfusion according to the International Labour Organization classification. Since plain radiology findings in 28 out of 60 patients were not in agreement, it was impossible to make a definite diagnosis of asbestosis. In 22 (36.6%) patients, high-resolution computed tomography indicated initial, and in 6 (10%) moderate fibrosis. In initial asbestosis, vital capacity and diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide are within the normal limits. Only increased profusion of the pulmonary parenchyma opacity and greater extension of the pleural thickening involvement cause a fall in vital capacity.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
14768
URI
Publication date:
10.6.2002.
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