Fact-sheet: Asbestos related disease


Updated on 02/22/2024 at 1:40 PM

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Definition

Interstitial lung disease secondary to inhalation of asbestos fibers

Clinical features

Slowly and progressively worsening dyspnea

Radiography

Nonspecific reticular opacities

Association with other manifestations related to asbestos exposure, such as calcified or non-calcified pleural plaques

CT

Early manifestations, requiring prone acquisition to differentiate them from gravity-dependent ventilatory disturbances:

  • Centrilobular opacities related to peribronchial fibrosis
  • Intralobular reticulations
  • Subpleural lines

Then fibrosis resembling a UIP pattern:

  • Traction bronchiectasis
  • Distortion
  • Honeycombing
  • Sometimes, mediastinal lymphadenopathy

Associated with other manifestations related to asbestos exposure:

  • Pleural effusion
  • Pleural plaques +/- calcified

Differential diagnosis

Isolated pleural plaques related to asbestos exposure without interstitial involvement do not constitute asbestos related disease.

In the absence of pleural plaques or thickening: other causes of interstitial lung disease.