Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Computed tomography of asbestos-related pleural abnormalities

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives: To study the observer agreement in several asbestos-related pleural abnormalities and to define criteria to discriminate between pleural changes in workers with occupational disease, and those in controls. Methods: Pleural abnormalities in spiral computed tomography of 602 construction workers with asbestosis or bilateral pleural plaques and 49 controls were reviewed by three radiologists using structured forms. Results: Intra- and inter-observer agreement (weighted kappa) was 0.4 or better with regard to the calcification, extent and thickness of pleural disease. These factors all correlated positively with the duration of asbestos exposure. There were significant differences in these pleural changes between the workers (mean extent per side 83 cm2) and controls (mean extent per side 40 cm2). Of the controls, 84% showed pleural lesions with an estimated extent of 10 cm2 or more, bilateral in 64%. The extent of 45 cm2 in pleural disease was the best value for discriminating between the controls and diseased workers, with a sensitivity of 82% and a specificity of 66%. The degree of pleural calcification, however, was the best discriminator between these groups, but quantitative methods are necessary for its use in the diagnostics of individuals. Conclusions: The extent, calcification and thickness were well-repeatable indicators of benign pleural pathology and thus their use in future classification systems in computed tomography is recommended. In our material, the extent of 45 cm2 and the degree of calcification were helpful in discriminating between pleural changes in workers with occupational disease, and those in controls who also presented marked pleural pathology.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. Tiitola.

Additional information

Electronic Publication

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tiitola, M., Kivisaari, L., Zitting, A. et al. Computed tomography of asbestos-related pleural abnormalities. IAOEH 75, 224–228 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-001-0297-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-001-0297-x

Navigation