Name
ASBESTOSIS
DESCRIPTION
OTHER TESTS : * CHEST X-RAY - PLEURAL PALQUES, CHARACTERIZED BY EITHER THICKENING OR CALCIFICATION ALONG THE PARIETAL PLEURA, PARTICULARLY ALONG THE LOWER LUNG FIELDS, DIAPHRAGM & CARDIAC BORDER. PLEURAL EFFUSION. . * DIAGNOSTIC FEATURE - IRREGULAR OR LINEAR OPACITIES, FIRST IN THE LOWER LUNG FIELDS THEN SPREADING TO MIDDLE & UPPER LUNG AREAS, INDISTINCT HEART BORDER OR A GROUND GLASS APPEARANCE IN THE LUNG FIELDS. LATER ON CLASSICAL HONEYCOMBED LUNG.. * HRCT ( HIGH RESOLUTION CT SCAN ) - SHOW DISTINCT SUBPLEURAL CURVILINEAR LINES 5 - 10 CM IN LENGTH THAT APPEAR TO BE PARALLEL TO PLEURAL SURFACE - 85 TO 100 % DIAGNOSTIC .
DETAIL
OTHER TESTS : * CHEST X-RAY - PLEURAL PALQUES, CHARACTERIZED BY EITHER THICKENING OR CALCIFICATION ALONG THE PARIETAL PLEURA, PARTICULARLY ALONG THE LOWER LUNG FIELDS, DIAPHRAGM & CARDIAC BORDER. PLEURAL EFFUSION. * DIAGNOSTIC FEATURE - IRREGULAR OR LINEAR OPACITIES, FIRST IN THE LOWER LUNG FIELDS THEN SPREADING TO MIDDLE & UPPER LUNG AREAS, INDISTINCT HEART BORDER OR A GROUND GLASS APPEARANCE IN THE LUNG FIELDS. LATER ON CLASSICAL HONEYCOMBED LUNG. * HRCT ( HIGH RESOLUTION CT SCAN ) - SHOW DISTINCT SUBPLEURAL CURVILINEAR LINES 5 - 10 CM IN LENGTH THAT APPEAR TO BE PARALLEL TO PLEURAL SURFACE - 85 TO 100 % DIAGNOSTIC
TYPENOTES
Medical Care: " Control of asbestos in the workplace is the most effective method for preventing asbestosis. Cessation of further exposure to asbestos once the diagnosis of asbestosis is made is imperative because further exposure increases the rate of progression. A small minority of people (10-20%) have progressive disease after cessation of exposure. " Advise smokers to quit smoking, and provide referral to a smoking cessation clinic. " Inform patients on the work-related causation of the disease (potentially compensable) and report it to appropriate state or federal agencies. " Assessment of disease severity and functional impairment are important in tailoring a treatment and follow-up plan (ie, frequency of clinic visits, chest radiographs, pulmonary function testing). " Treatment requires prompt attention to respiratory infections and immunizations against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia. " Perform prompt antimicrobial treatment of respiratory infections. " Assess oxygenation status at rest and with exercise. If testing detects hypoxemia at rest or with exercise, prescribe supplemental oxygen. " Remain aware of the complications of asbestosis to expedite detection and treatment. " Provide palliative care for the relief of distressing symptoms in severe advanced disease.
RELATED DISEASE
Not Available Disease
DISEASE
INVESTIGATION
X-RAY CHEST P.A. VIEW( NORMAL ), COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT, BIOPSY