Asbestos in extrapulmonary sites - Omentum and mesentery

Study objectives: Asbestos fibers have not been reported in tissues from th e peritoneal cavity. Therefore, omentum, mesentery, and lung tissues from 2 0 individuals in whom mesothelioma was diagnosed were analyzed for asbestos bodies and asbestos fibers. Design: Tissue was digested and prepared filters were analyzed by light mic roscopy and analytical transmission electron microscopy. Results: Asbestos bodies were found in the lungs of 18 individuals, mesente ry samples from 5, and omentum samples from 2. Uncoated asbestos fibers wer e found in lungs of 19 patients, 17 of whom had fibers in at least one extr apulmonary site. The most common asbestos in the omentum and mesentery was amosite. Several features of asbestos found in lung influenced the likeliho od of amphibole fibers being found in the omentum or mesentery. Lung featur es included total amphibole fiber burden, length, aspect ratio, and ferrugi nous body bur den, An increased total ferruginous body burden was strongly associated with increased likelihood of detecting amphiboles in the omentum (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Asbestos fibers reach areas in the peritoneal cavity where some mesotheliomas develop. This study suggests their presence can be predicted based on concentrations and characteristics of fiber burdens in lung tissu e.