Asbestosis.

Asbestosis is a rare pneumoconiosis secondary to inhalation of asbestos fib ers. It follows sufficient professional exposures (more than 25 fibers x ye ars/ml). The mean latency if 20 venus. Clinical symptoms include exertion d yspnea, crackles and clubbing. Chest radiography the performances of which have been enhanced by the use of the ILO score shows fine reticular or reti culonodular opacities which predominate in pulmonary bases often in associa tion with benign pleural abnormalities. An ILO score equal or higher than 1 /1 is suggestive of asbestosis in the context of a compatible professional history Pulmonary function is typical of diffuse interstitial lung disease. High resolution CT is the most performant investigation in particular in p resence of asbestosis either minimal or of recent origin. The diagnosis of asbestosis is based on the professional exposure, a compatible interstitial lung and pleural disease and the exclusion of alternative hypothesis. The diagnosis can be conforted by bronchoalveolar lavage (cytology and biometro logy). Various evolutions are possible: stability, progression to respirato ry insufficiency, increased incidence of bronchial carcinoma. Life expectan cy is reduced in severe cases. There is no efficient medical treatment. Asb estosis is recognized as a professional disease. A better recognition of as bestosis necessitates a performant policy of depistage in populations with significant present or past exposure and an appropriate diagnostic strategy including high-resolution-CT.