Asbestosis -- a diagnostic enigma: a personal view.
Although the carcinogenic properties of asbestos are presently attracting a good deal of attention, asbestosis is still the earliest lung disease resulting from exposure to it and its incidence in an exposed population is the most useful indicator of the degree of dust control exercised over a period of time. The diagnosis of asbestosis depends upon: (1) An adequate occupational exposure history. (2) Physical signs of pulmonary fibrosis. (3) Progressive radiological changes. (4) Confirmatory measurements of altered lung function. Asbestosis is a clinical entity and is readily diagnosed when all the above-mentioned criteria are met. Problems in diagnosis are encountered when one or more of the diagnostic criteria listed above cannot be substantiated. At the present time every effort is made to diagnose the disease in its early stages in the hope that removal from further exposure will prevent the direct and indirect complications.
D001194:Asbestos; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D014797:Vital Capacity
D001194:Asbestos