Dilek ERGÜN, Recai ERGÜN, Ender EVCİK, Begüm ERGAN

Evaluation of dental technician's pneumoconiosis using chest X-ray and HRCT: correlation between radiological and functional findings

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings with those of chest X-ray (CXR) and to evaluate the relationship of pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters with HRCT and CXR findings in cases of dental technician s pneumoconiosis. Materials and methods: CXR, PFT, and HRCT data of 89 dental technicians who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The cases of 24 dental technicians (27%) classified as normal (Category 0) based on CXR were evaluated as Category 1 according to HRCT. There was an inverse correlation of PFT parameters with nodular profusion score in CXR and all HRCT parameters. In this participant sample, small opacities were predominant (70% of the individuals), and worsening of PFT parameters was associated with the prevalence of pulmonary parenchymal changes. Conclusion: In the present study, micronodules detected using HRCT had an effect on pulmonary function worsening, which has not been reported in previous studies.

PDF

___

1. Froudarakis ME, Voloudaki A, Bouros D, Drakonakis G, Hatzakis K, Siafakas NM. Pneumoconiosis among Cretan dental technicians. Respiration 1999; 66: 338-342.
2. Radi S, Dalphin JC, Manzoni P, Pernet D, Leboube MP, Viel JF. Respiratory morbidity in a population of French dental technician. Occup Environ Med 2002; 59: 398-404.
3. Rom WN, Lockey JE, Lee JS, Kimball AC, Bang KM, Leaman H, Johns RE Jr, Perrota D, Gibbons HL. Pneumoconiosis and exposures of dental laboratory technicians. Am J Public Health 1984; 74: 1252-1257.
4. Sun J, Weng D, Jin C, Yan B, Xu G, Jin B, Xia S, Chen J. The value of high resolution computed tomography in the diagnostics of small opacities and complications of silicosis in mine machinery manufacturing workers, compared to radiography. J Occup Health 2008; 50: 400-405.
5. Begin R, Ostiguy G, Fillion R, Colman N. Computed tomography scan in the early detection of silicosis. Am Rev Respir Dis 1991; 144: 697-705.
6. Begin R, Bergeron D, Samson L, Boctor M, Cantin A. CT assessment of silicosis in exposed workers. Am J Roetgenol 1987; 148: 509-514.
7. Begin R, Filion R, Ostiguy G. Emphysema in silica- and asbestos-exposed workers seeking compensation. A CT scan study. Chest 1995; 108: 647-655.
8. Begin R, Ostiguy G, Cantin A, Bergeron D. Lung function in silica-exposed workers. A relationship to disease severity assessed by CT scan. Chest 1988; 94: 539-545.
9. Bergin CJ, Muller NL, Vedal S, Chan-Yeung M. CT in silicosis: correlation with plain films and pulmonary function tests. Am J Roentgenol 1986; 146: 477-483.
10. Talini D, Paggiaro PL, Falaschi F, Battolla L, Carrara M, Petrozzino M, Begliomini E, Bartolozzi C, Giuntini C. Chest radiography and high resolution computed tomography in the evaluation of workers exposed to silica dust: relation with functional findings. Occup Environ Med 1995; 52: 262-267.
11. Kinsella M, Muller N, Vedal S, Staples C, Abboud RT, ChanYeung M. Emphysema in silicosis. A comparison of smokers with nonsmokers using pulmonary function testing and computed tomography. Am Rev Respir Dis 1990; 141: 1497- 1500.
12. Ooi GC, Tsang KW, Cheung TF, Khong PL, Ho IW, Ip MS, Tam CM, Ngan H, Lam WK, Chan FL et al. Silicosis in 76 men: qualitative and quantitative CT evaluationclinical-radiologic correlation study. Radiology 2003; 228: 816-825.
13. Hnizdo E, Sluis-Cremer GK, Baskind E, Murray J. Emphysema and airway obstruction in non-smoking South African gold miners with long exposure to silica dust. Occup Environ Med 1994; 51: 557-663.
14. Ergün D, Ergün R, Özdemir C, Öziş TN, Yilmaz H, Akkurt İ. Pneumoconiosis and respiratory problems in dental laboratory technicians: analysis of 893 dental technicians. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2014; 27: 785-7962.
15. Berk S, Dogan DO, Gumus C, Akkurt I. Relationship between radiological (X-ray/HRCT), spirometric and clinical findings in dental technicians pneumoconiosis. Clin Respir J 2016; 10: 67-73.
16. International Labour Office. Guidelines for the Use of the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses. Occupational Safety and Health Series No. 22 (Rev. 2000). Geneva, Switzerland: ILO; 2000.
17. Gevenois PA, Sergent G, De Maertelaer V, Gouat F, Yernault JC, De Vuyst P. Micronodules and emphysema in coal mine dust or silica exposure: relation with lung function. Eur Respir J 1998; 12: 1020-1024.
18. Lopes AJ, Mogami R, Capone D, Tessarollo B, de Melo PL, Jansen JM. High-resolution computed tomography in silicosis: correlation with chest radiography and pulmonary function tests. J Bras Pneumol 2008; 34: 264-272.
19. Antao VC, Pinheiro GA, Terra-Filho M, Kavakama J, Müller NL. High-resolution CT in silicosis: correlation with radiographic findings and functional impairment. J Comput Assist Tomogr 2005; 29: 350-356.
20. Copley SJ, Wells AU, Sivakumaran P, Rubens MB, Lee YC, Desai SR, MacDonald SL, Thompson RI, Colby TV, Nicholson AG et al. Asbestosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: comparison of thin-section CT features. Radiology 2003; 229: 731-736.
21. Miller MR, Hankinson J, Brusasco V, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, Crapo R, Enright P, van der Grinten CP, Gustafsson P et al. Standardisation of spirometry. Eur Respir J 2005; 26: 319-338.
22. Capitani EM. Silicosis (still) among us. J Bras Pneumol 2006; 32: xxxiii-xxxv.
23. Mosiewicz J, Myslinski W, Zlomaniec G, Czabak-Garbacz R, Krupski W, Dzida G. Diagnostic value of high resolution computed tomography in the assessment of nodular changes in pneumoconiosis in foundry workers in Lublin. Ann Agric Environ Med 2004; 11: 279-284.
24. Yurdasal B, Bozkurt B, Bozkurt Aİ, Yilmaz Ö. The evaluation of the dust-related occupational respiratory disorders of dental laboratory technicians working in Denizli Province. Ann Thoracic Med 2015; 10: 249-255.
25. Terra-Filho M, Santos UP. Silicosis. J Bras Pneumol 2006; 32 (Suppl. 2): S59-65 (in Portuguese).
26. Gibbs AR, Wagner JC. Diseases due to silica. In: Churg A, Green FHY, editors. Pathology of Occupational Lung Disease. 2nd ed. Baltimore, MD, USA: Williams & Wilkins; 1998. pp. 209-234.
27. Meijer E, Tjoe Nij E, Kraus T, van der Zee JS, van Delden O, van Leeuwen M, Lammers JW, Heederik D. Pneumoconiosis and emphysema in construction workers: results of HRCT and lung function findings. Occup Environ Med 2011; 68: 542-546.
28. Ferreira AS, Moreira VB, Ricardo HM, Coutinho R, Gabetto JM, Marchiori E. Progressive massive fibrosis in silica-exposed workers. High-resolution computed tomography findings. J Bras Pneumol 2006; 32: 523-528.
29. Kahraman H, Koksal N, Cinkara M, Ozkan F, Sucakli MH, Ekerbicer H. Pneumoconiosis in dental technicians: HRCT and pulmonary function findings. Occup Med (Lond) 2014; 64: 442-447.
30. Ozmen CA, Nazaroglu H, Yildiz T, Bayrak AH, Senturk S, Ates G, Akyildiz L. MDCT findings of denim-sandblasting-induced silicosis: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2010; 9: 17.