Keywords:
Lung, CT, Screening, Occupational / Environmental hazards
Authors:
J. Teh, P. Wong, C. P. Murray, Y.-J. Kuok, N. de Klerk, H. Alfonso, A. Reid, A. W. Musk, F. J. Brims; Perth/AU
DOI:
10.1594/ranzcr2015/R-0062
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that the presence of radiographic abnormalities associated with ILD on ultra-LDCT correlates with reduced lung diffusion capacity in a screening population.
A limitation of this study was that the ultra-LDCT imaging protocol used targeted the detection of parenchymal or pleural abnormalities for the early diagnosis of lung cancer and mesothelioma and not the presence of interstitial lung disease.
HRCT is the current gold standard imaging modality for the radiologic diagnosis of ILD,
with greater sensitivity than chest radiography for the detection of pleural and parenchymal abnormalities found in asbestos-related lung disease [5,6].
However,
significant radiation dose negates its use in population screening.
Remy-Jardin et al showed that radiographic abnormalities consistent with ILD on thin-slice CT were also evident on LDCT [7],
although these were not correlated with pathophysiological parameters.
Our findings suggest that ultra-LDCT may have a role in the diagnosis of ILD and prediction of associated pulmonary physiological derangement in carefully selected populations.
Given the association between significant asbestos exposure and elevated lung cancer risk, our study also highlights the potential utility of radiographic findings of ILD on ultra-LDCT in lung cancer risk stratification of asbestos-exposed subjects.