[Spirometrically controlled quantitative CT for detection of pulmonary function in silica-exposed workers].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic value of spirometrically controlled quantitative CT in silica-exposed workers.


METHODS
Whole lung spiral scans at 50% vital capacity (VC) and image with high resolution CT(HRCT) at 10% VC and 90% VC level and 5 cm above/below carina were performed in 62 silica-exposed workers and 54 healthy adults. Automatic evaluation software, Pulmo, was used to evaluate the quantitative parameters and compared with clinical pulmonary function tests.


RESULTS
9 workers with emphysema were detected by CT scans from 62 silica-exposed workers. The quantitative parameters of 10% VC and 90% VC were significantly different between the silica-exposed workers and the controls (P < 0.05). With the increasing of length of exposure to silica dust, the difference showed a ladder-like rising.


CONCLUSIONS
Spirometrically controlled quantitative CT is a sensitive, accurate and objective method. It is superior to conventional CT and pulmonary function tests for the early detection in silica-exposed workers, espicially for detecting early stage of small airway disease.
Han
Ping
P
Department of Radiology, Affiliated Xiehe Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China.
Zhang
Fan
F
Liu
Fang
F
Feng
Gansheng
G
Shi
Heshui
H
Zheng
Jinlong
J
Liu
Yonghua
Y
Li
Youlin
Y
D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013147:Spirometry; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014797:Vital Capacity
D012822:Silicon Dioxide