QUANTITATIVE CT OF THE LUNG IN THE EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ASBESTOSIS - FIRST RESULTS IN ASBESTOS-EXPOSED NAVY PERSONNEL

Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic role of respiratory gated quantitative CT of the lung with regard to the early detection of asbestos-induced lung fibrosis. Material and methods: 29 navy personnel with a mean asbestos exposure of 21,3 years and exclusively low profusion stages with regard to plain film X-ray (0/1 and 1/0, ILO 1980) were examined using high resolution CT and respiratory gated quantitative CT of the lung. Results: A low but significant increase of the global lung density with -816 HU (range -844 to -749 HU) was found in comparison with the age-matched reference values of -829,8 HU (range -834 to -819 HU). In individual cases the histogram analysis demonstrated a shift of the density distribution towards higher density intervals without corresponding findings in HRCT. No alterations in lung function were observed. There was no correlation between the latency period or length of exposure and density values. Conclusion: The respiratory gated quantitative CT of the lung may potentially develop into an accessory parameter for monitoring dust exposed personnel.