title: Talcosis in soapstone artisans: high-resolution CT findings in 12 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) features of pneumoconiosis observed in soapstone artisans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study included 12 soapstone artisans with chest radiography abnormalities consistent with the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis, in accordance with the International Labour Office classification. All patients had undergone HRCT, and the images were retrospectively analysed by two chest radiologists, who reached decisions in consensus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients presented with interlobular septal thickening. Small centrilobular nodules (75%) and ground-glass opacities (67%) were also common findings. The distributions of abnormalities were predominantly diffuse. No pleural abnormality was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The HRCT abnormalities observed in this group of soapstone artisans are similar to those of pure talc pneumoconiosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Image, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil; School of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Electronic address: henryfaria@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pereira Faria
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Souza Veiga
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Coutinho Teixeira
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: de Paula Alves Bezerra
authors.affiliation: Reference Centre on Workers' Health, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Scalia Carneiro
authors.affiliation: Diagnostic Centre, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marchiori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D013627:Talc / Q000506:poisoning*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D013627:Talc