8th Baltic Congress of Radiology

08.10.2022  Tallinn, Estonia

Presentation

Small Hall

Title of abstract: O-T5-05 Asbestos - forbidden, but not forgotten. Asbestos related diseases of the chest.

Synopsis: Asbestos causes a spectrum of malignant and non-malignant diseases. Benign pleural effusion is the earliest presentation of the asbestos related diseases. Diffuse pleural thickening can appear as a result of pleural effusion, especially in recurrent cases; it usually does not calcify and surrounds the whole lung including apices and costophrenic angles. Pleural plaques are the most common manifestation and evidence of the asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques can be both calcified and non-calcified and tend to spare apices and costophrenic angles. If plaques are located in a visceral pleura, fibrotic bands arising from the plaques can develop. Pleural plaques or pleural thickening can cause development of round atelectasis, which on the CT scan appears as an enhancing pulmonary mass with a comet tail sign; the mass is typically broadly connected to the pleura. CT findings might be non-conclusive and follow up or further investigation with PET-CT, MR or biopsy might be needed. Asbestosis is a fibrotic lung disease. The most common findings of asbestosis on plain films are fibrotic changes, “shaggy” heart and blunted costophrenic angles. Most common CT findings are fibrotic bands, sub-pleural lines, traction bronchiectasis and honeycombing. Asbestosis is typically lower zone predominant but can spread upwards in advanced stages. Pleural mesothelioma manifests as smooth or nodular pleural thickening, that can extend to pleural fissures, and is usually related to loculated pleural effusion. In case of widespread thickening hemithorax becomes contracted. Mesothelioma can directly invade adjacent structures like mediastinum, chest wall, diaphragm and even spread to the abdominal cavity.

This agenda item is presented in the following session: S2-2 Thoracic Radiology

Plenary session

07.10.2022 11:00 - 13:00