Gallium lung scanning and bronchoalveolar lavage in crocidolite-exposed workers.
Gallium lung scanning is widely used to evaluate pulmonary inflammation in patients with interstitial lung disease but has not previously been reported in crocidolite-exposed workers. In order to characterize the pulmonary inflammation caused by crocidolite inhalation, GLS and BAL findings were related to chest x-ray film changes graded according to the ILO classification of roentgenograms of pneumoconioses. In individuals with roentgenographic evidence of asbestosis (CXR greater than or equal to 1/0, n = 15), 13 had a positive GLS and 13 had an abnormal BAL. In asbestos-exposed individuals with equivocal chest x-ray film changes (CXR 0/1, n = 12), six had a positive GLS and six had BAL changes (both GLS and BAL abnormal in three). In individuals with a normal chest x-ray film (CXR 0/0 n = 8), two had a positive GLS and two BAL changes (both abnormal in 1). These data demonstrate that most subjects with crocidolite-induced asbestosis have an abnormal GLS and BAL. In addition, many individuals with asbestos exposure and equivocal or no chest x-ray film changes have an abnormal GLS and/or BAL, suggesting the presence of active subclinical pulmonary inflammation in these individuals.
Hayes
A A
AA
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia.
Mullan
B
B
Lovegrove
F T
FT
Rose
A H
AH
Musk
A W
AW
Robinson
B W
BW
D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002951:Citrates; D019343:Citric Acid; D005260:Female; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008906:Mining; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013997:Time Factors; D014904:Western Australia
D002951:Citrates; D005710:Gallium Radioisotopes; D017638:Asbestos, Crocidolite; D001194:Asbestos; D019343:Citric Acid