Diagnostic complexity and potentially avoidable invasive procedures before the recognition of pneumoconiosis

Pneumoconiosis remains a major occupational health problem worldwide and is frequently initially mistaken for malignancy or infection due to overlapping radiological features. This diagnostic uncertainty may lead to unnecessary invasive procedures, increasing both patient risk and healthcare burden. However, data on how occupational exposure and imaging findings influence diagnostic pathways remain limited.

In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated 121 patients with pneumoconiosis who had undergone invasive diagnostic procedures before pneumoconiosis was considered (2021-2025), representing a population with increased diagnostic complexity. We examined occupational exposure, radiological phenotypes, diagnostic decision-making, and procedure-related outcomes. In these patients, in whom pneumoconiosis had not been considered as a preliminary diagnosis, diagnostic concordance was defined as confirmation of the leading preprocedural working diagnosis by invasive findings.

Radiological patterns commonly associated with malignancy or infection were strongly linked to invasive diagnostic procedures. Higher radiological burden was associated with reduced pulmonary function (p < 0.001). Diagnostic discordance between initial clinical working diagnosis and invasive findings was observed in a substantial proportion of cases, reflecting challenges in lesion-based diagnostic approaches. The overall complication rate was 10.7%, with pneumothorax being the most frequent adverse event, particularly following percutaneous procedures.

In patients with occupational dust exposure, radiological misinterpretation may contribute to unnecessary invasive diagnostic procedures. Integrating occupational history into early diagnostic evaluation may reduce procedural burden and improve patient safety. These findings highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary and exposure-oriented approach in the management of suspected pneumoconiosis within public health frameworks.