title: Comparison of x-ray films and low-dose computed tomographic scans: demonstration of asbestos-related changes in 2760 nuclear weapons workers screened for lung cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Increased availability and technical improvements of computed tomographic (CT) scanning encourages its use for detecting asbestos-related disease. We compared low-dose scans and x-ray films in 2760 workers potentially exposed to asbestos, to assess their ability to detect interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pleural thickening (PT).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2760 nuclear workers received radiography and CT scanning (2006 to 2009). X-ray films were read by a B reader for ILD and PT and CT scans by a thoracic radiologist, using a protocol for nodules, ILD, and PT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 2760 workers, 271 showed circumscribed PT on CT scans, and 73 on x-ray films, 54 (74%) of which were confirmed on CT scans; 76 showed ILD on CT scans, and 15 on x-ray film, 10 (67%) of which were confirmed on CT scans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Radiographic readings of PT and ILD were generally confirmed on CT scans. Computed tomographic scans detected three to five times more cases; the majority were minor.
authors.affiliation: Center for the Biology of Natural Systems, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY 11367, USA. almillermd@gmail.com
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Shannon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Widman
authors.forename: Jeffrey A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manowitz
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Markowitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001195:Asbestosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography; D054043:Nuclear Weapons; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States