[Small irregular pulmonary radiological anomalies seen in coal miners in the Lorraine region]

Amongst the pulmonary radiological abnormalities more or less suggestive of pneumoconiosis seen in 1 044 miners from Lorraine, there were 976 cases of typical pneumoconiosis: 154 "P.M.F." forms and 890 forms with small round opacities. In the other 68 cases, hence in a proportion of 1 in 15, the X-ray appearance consisted of small irregular opacities which have only been introduced by the I.L.O. into the international nomenclature on pneumoconiosis since 1968 (symbols: s, t, u, according to their size). These forms with small irregular abnormalities are associated with obstructive spirographic ventilatory disorders and a decrease in CO transfer (steady-state) on average greater than those seen in forms with classical round opacities. Age is greater and tobacco consumption higher, but long exposure to pneumoconiosis risk (26.9 years, on average) must also be taken into consideration in interpreting the singular prevalence of