[Quantitative CT studies of the lung in an animal experiment model of silicosis]

High resolution, narrow section CT examinations of the lungs were carried out on 21 Javanese macaques (five controls) shortly before the conclusion of 27 months exposure to quartz and/or high pressure. The aim was to establish morphometric CT data for differentiating and quantifying normal and abnormal findings. The results show that the technique has a high sensitivity for demonstrating the pathological lung changes. Final validation depends upon the use of respiratory physiology and biochemical, cytological, and histomorphometric data.