title: Functional consequences of pleural disease evaluated with chest radiography and CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify a system for the quantification of pleural thickening with an acceptable level of interobserver variation and good functional correlation in individuals with pleural disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The extent of pleural thickening and plaques was assessed in 50 patients by using the following: (a) a radiographic score based on the International Labour Office system, (b) a subjective simple computed tomographic (CT) score, (c) a subjective comprehensive CT score, (d) an objective nonautomated method, and (e) an objective computer-aided semiautomated method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Similar correlations between the extent of diffuse pleural thickening and forced vital capacity were seen for each system (objective CT, r = -0.72, P <.001; simple CT, r = -0.69, P <.001; radiographic, r = -0.67, P <.001; comprehensive CT, r = -0.66, P <.001). Comparable correlations were observed for total lung capacity. After controlling for extent of diffuse pleural thickening, pleural plaque scores were functionally irrelevant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Comparable functional-morphologic correlations were achieved by using different CT and radiographic scoring systems for pleural disease. A subjective simple CT system had the advantages of ease of application and potential to aid in the accurate assessment of the lung parenchyma, which may be important in individuals exposed to asbestos.
authors: Department of Radiology, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney St, London SW3 6NP, England.
authors: S J
authors: SJ
authors: Copley
authors: A U
authors: AU
authors: Wells
authors: M B
authors: MB
authors: Rubens
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Chabat
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Sheehan
authors: A W
authors: AW
authors: Musk
authors: D M
authors: DM
authors: Hansell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011336:Probability; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*