Asbestosis

Abstract

The diagnosis of asbestosis is based on a history of asbestos exposure, an abnormal chest radiograph, and lung function abnormality. When pulmonary fibrosis is not evident on chest radiographs, high-resolution CT (HRCT) is useful for demonstrating it Early asbestosis is characterized by subpleural dot-like lesions and subpleural curvilinear shadows on HRCT reflecting a pathology of peribronchiolar fibrosis. Asbestosis in the advanced stages resembles idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis clinically. Differentiating between these two diagnoses can require pathological findings in addition to a history of asbestos exposure and the demonstration of characteristic HRCT findings.