Pneumoconiosis

The most common pneumoconiosis worldwide is silicosis. Coal workers are at risk of coal workers pneumoconiosis (CWP) Silico-siderosis is caused by exposure to silica and iron. A byssinosis patient history requires a history of exposure exposure to cotton, flax, hemp, or jute dust. Workers in the explosives industry are at risk of exposure to aluminium oxide. Serial Chest Radiographs have been utilised as a screening tool in addition to lung function testing. However this technique suffers from relatively low sensitivity and low consistency of diagnosis (60%). Attempts to align OHP training and film and equipment are being made. HRCT is better but more expensive and uses more radiation. HRCT has not been widely employed as primary screening tool but is a common secondary tool. In general MRI not is considered useful in diagnosis.

Diagnosis is 2 out of 3 of:- History of dust exposure ILO radiographic classification Histopathology Honeycombing is a radiographic sign of pneumoconiosis. Chest X ray may show sub-pleural patchy basilar interstitial infiltration or small cystic radio translucencies called honeycombing (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) are reduced, however, the decline in FVC is more than that of FEV1, resulting in a higher than 80% FEV1FVC ratio Lung cancer and COPD may be adjunctive diagnoses, especially in mine workers