Asbestos-related @entity456 and XXXX : a comparison of CT and chest radiography.

@entity1 @entity66 @entity2415 @entity1355 @entity456
High-resolution CT (HRCT) has the ability to demonstrate both asbestos-related @entity456 and @entity66 consistent with @entity1355 . The role of CT in the diagnosis of @entity1355 can be defined by comparing it with radiography. We evaluated 60 @entity1 who had a history of occupational exposure to asbestos and whose outside chest radiographs were considered abnormal. Chest radiographs (inside films) and HRCT were performed in all @entity1 at our institution and were interpreted independently by experienced radiologists. Outside film results were compiled from the submitted reports. The final conclusion regarding the interpretation of the radiologic examinations was determined by consensus when disagreements existed. Positive predictive values (the likelihood that a positive report is correct) for @entity456 were: outside films 56%, inside films 79%, HRCT 100%. The positive predictive values for parenchymal disease were: outside films 51%, inside films 83%, HRCT 100%. The addition of HRCT to chest radiography is most useful in eliminating false-positive diagnoses of asbestos-related @entity456 caused by subpleural fat and false-positive diagnoses of parenchymal @entity1355 in @entity1 with extensive plaques or @entity2415 obscuring lung detail. The interpretation of chest radiographs in @entity1 exposed to asbestos is often extremely difficult and subjective, and we recommend that positive findings (except calcified plaques) be confirmed with HRCT.
