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 as bestos exposure of 21,3 years and exclusively low profusion stages wit h regard to plain film X-ray (0/1 and 1/0, ILO 1980) were examined usi ng high resolution CT and respiratory gated quantitative CT of the lun g. 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 de nsity distribution towards higher density intervals without correspond ing findings in HRCT. No alterations in lung function were observed. T here was no correlation between the latency period or length of exposu re and density values. Conclusion: The respiratory gated quantitative CT of the lung may potentially develop into an accessory parameter for monitoring dust exposed personnel.