Uranium Workers Demonstrate Lower Lobe Predominant Irregular Pneumoconiotic Opacities on Chest Radiographs.
There is a paucity of literature on the chest radiographic findings in uranium workers.



To characterize the chest radiographic findings of pneumoconiosis in a New Mexican cohort of uranium workers.



The most recent results from chest radiographs were abstracted in this cross-sectional study.



Radiographs showed small pneumoconiotic opacities of profusion score of ≥ 1/0 in 155/429 (36.1%) uranium workers. The most common shape/size of the primary and secondary opacities was s (90.3%) and t (83.7%) types, respectively. Lower lung zones were the most affected. American Indians were the population group at greatest odds for having profusion score ≥ 1/0 (O.R. 2.65, 95% C.I. 1.61, 4.36).



Uranium workers' pneumoconiosis is associated with predominantly lower lobe, irregular, and small opacities. Clinical providers and policymakers must consider uranium workers' pneumoconiosis in the differential diagnosis for lower lobe-predominant interstitial lung disease, in the appropriate exposure setting.
Elizabeth
E
Kocher
Kristi J
KJ
Rendon
Denece
D
Kesler
Tawny Wilson
TW
Boyce
Orrin
O
Myers
Kandace
K
Evans
Linda S
LS
Cook
Akshay
A
Sood
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D014501:Uranium / Q000633:toxicity*
D014501:Uranium