Pneumoconiosis diagnostic criteria

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Dushka Riaz, MD

Diagnostic Study of Choice

Study of choice

Asbestosis with pleural plaques - Case courtesy of Dr Hani Makky Al Salam, <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/">Radiopaedia.org</a>. From the case <a href="https://radiopaedia.org/cases/45002">rID: 45002</a>

1. Radiologic tests must be performed to test for asbestosis when:

• The patient has had exposure to asbestos (with Helsinki criteria indicating the dose being at least 25 fibre/ml.years.
• The CT scan would show pulmonary fibrosis, pleural thickening and pleural plaques.

2. The best test for Silicosis is a high resolution CT:

• It would show widespread fibrosis with bilateral nodules and evidence of involvement of lymph nodes. It can be confirmed with lung biopsy showing acellular whorls, bi-refringent crystals of silica.

Investigations:

• Among the patients who present with clinical signs of [disease name], the [investigation name] is the most specific test for the diagnosis.
• Among the patients who present with clinical signs of [disease name], the [investigation name] is the most sensitive test for diagnosis.
• Among the patients who present with clinical signs of [disease name], the [investigation name] is the most efficient test for diagnosis.

Sequence of Diagnostic Studies

The various investigations must be performed in the following order:

• [Initial investigation]
• [2nd investigation]

Diagnostic Criteria

To be qualified as a pneumoconiosis or occupational disease there must be four criteria met:

• This includes documented exposure to the particle.
• Latent period before the development of symptoms.
• Clinical signs and symptoms that entail the disease
• Exclusion of other disease modalities.