MDCT findings of denim-sandblasting-induced silicosis: a cross-sectional study.
BACKGROUND
Denim sandblasting is as a novel cause of silicosis in Turkey, with reports of a recent increase in cases and fatal outcomes. We aimed to describe the radiological features of patients exposed to silica during denim sandblasting and define factors related to the development of silicosis.


METHODS
Sixty consecutive men with a history of exposure to silica during denim sandblasting were recruited. All CT examinations were performed using a 64-row multi-detector CT (MDCT). The nodules were qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by grading nodular profusion (NP) on CT images.


RESULTS
Silicosis was diagnosed radiologically in 73.3% of patients (44 of 60). The latency period (the time between initial exposure and radiological imaging) and duration of silica exposure was longer in patients diagnosed with silicosis than in those without silicosis (p < 0.05). Nodules were present in all cases with centrilobular type as the commonest (63.6%). All cases of silicosis were clinically classified as accelerated and 11.4% had progressive massive fibrosis (PMF). Mild NP lesions were the most prevalent in all six zones of the lung. The NP score was significantly correlated with the duration of silica exposure, the latency period, presence of PMF, and pleural thickening. Enlarged lymphadenopathy was present in 45.5% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The duration of exposure and the latency period are important for development of silicosis in denim sandblasters. MDCT is a useful tool in detecting findings of silicosis in workers who has silica exposure.
Ozmen
Cihan Akgul
CA
Dicle University School of Medicine Department of Radiology 21280, Diyarbakir, Turkey. cihanakgul@gmail.com
Nazaroglu
Hasan
H
Yildiz
Tekin
T
Bayrak
Aylin Hasanefendioglu
AH
Senturk
Senem
S
Ates
Gungor
G
Akyildiz
Levent
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012829:Silicosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
J Occup Health. 2003 Jan;45(1):66-9
14605432
J Thorac Imaging. 2001 Apr;16(2):127-9
11292205
Occup Med (Lond). 2006 Dec;56(8):554-8
17021274
Eur J Radiol. 2006 Jul;59(1):56-9
16546338
Acta Radiol. 1994 Jul;35(4):351-6
8011384
J Bras Pneumol. 2008 May;34(5):264-72
18545821
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1987 Mar;148(3):509-14
3492877
Eur Respir J. 2008 Nov;32(5):1295-303
18579544
Eur Radiol. 2008 Dec;18(12):2739-44
18581116
Dis Mon. 2007 Aug;53(8):394-416
17976433
Radiographics. 2006 Jan-Feb;26(1):59-77
16418244
Eur Respir J. 2006 Oct;28(4):885-6
17012637
Radiology. 2005 Sep;236(3):1059-66
16118178
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1986 Mar;146(3):477-83
3484862
Radiology. 2003 Sep;228(3):816-25
12954899
N Z Med J. 2008 May 09;121(1273):69-71
18480889
AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007 Dec;189(6):1402-6
18029877
Am Rev Respir Dis. 1991 Sep;144(3 Pt 1):697-705
1892313
Radiology. 2005 Aug;236(2):685-93
16040925