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Pleural thickening in mild kaolinosis
B A Chaudhary1, G J Kanes, W H Pool
1Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912-3135, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Pleural thickening may be common in workers with mild kaolin pneumoconiosis. Computed tomography (CT) scans revealed thickening in some workers, suggesting kaolin dust exposure as a potential cause.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Radiology
Background:
- Kaolin dust exposure is linked to pneumoconiosis in Georgia.
- Previous studies described parenchymal changes in kaolin workers.
- The occurrence of pleural thickening in mild kaolin pneumoconiosis was unconfirmed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if pleural thickening is present in workers with mild kaolin pneumoconiosis.
- To evaluate the utility of computed tomography (CT) in detecting pleural changes.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated 350 kaolin plant workers in Georgia.
- Clinically assessed 32 workers with abnormal chest radiographs.
- Utilized chest CT scans to assess pleural thickening in 12 workers with mild kaolinosis.
Main Results:
- Identified kaolin pneumoconiosis in 5.4% of workers (19 individuals).
- Observed pleural plaques in 1.1% of workers (4 individuals).
- CT scans revealed pleural thickening in 5 of 12 workers with mild kaolinosis.
Conclusions:
- Pleural thickening appears common on chest CT in kaolinosis patients.
- Kaolin dust exposure should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pleural thickening.
- CT is a valuable tool for detecting subtle pleural changes in occupational lung diseases.