II. Epidemiology

  1. Prevalence: 200,000 in U.S.
  2. Mortality: 2,000 deaths per year in U.S

III. Pathophysiology

  1. Fibrotic lung disease secondary to Asbestos inhalation

IV. Symptoms

  1. Dry, non-productive cough
  2. Exertional Dyspnea

V. Signs

  1. Auscultory rales

VI. Imaging

  1. Chest XRay
    1. Interstitial Markings increased (esp. lower lobes)
    2. Pleural Plaques may be present
  2. Consider Chest CT
    1. Interstitial Markings increased as on Chest XRay
    2. Honeycomb appearance

VII. Diagnostics

  1. Pulmonary Function Tests
    1. Initial
      1. Decreased DLCO (diffusion capacity)
      2. Decreased ambulatory Oxygen Saturation
    2. Later
      1. Restrictive Lung Disease
      2. Decreased Vital Capacity of Total Lung Capacity
  2. Lung biopsy
    1. Not indicated in most cases
    2. Interstitial Pneumonia findings (same as IPF)
    3. Asbestos bodies seen on iron staining
      1. Asbestos body quantity correlates with severity

VIII. Differential diagnosis

  1. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
    1. IPF is a more rapid progression
  2. Pulmonary fibrosis due to Collagen vascular disease

IX. Associated conditions

  1. Pleural Plaques
  2. Lung Cancer
    1. Use high index of suspicion

X. Management

  1. No specific management
  2. Tobacco Cessation

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Ontology: Asbestosis (C0003949)

Definition (MSH) A form of pneumoconiosis caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers which elicit potent inflammatory responses in the parenchyma of the lung. The disease is characterized by interstitial fibrosis of the lung, varying from scattered sites to extensive scarring of the alveolar interstitium.
Definition (NCI_NCI-GLOSS) A lung disease caused by breathing in particles of asbestos (a group of minerals that take the form of tiny fibers). Symptoms include coughing, trouble breathing, and chest pain caused by scarring and permanent damage to lung tissue. Asbestosis increases the risk of lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma (cancer found in the lining of the lungs, chest, or abdomen).
Definition (NCI) A lung disorder caused by inhalation of asbestos fibers. It results in fibrosis of the lung parenchyma. Signs and symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Concepts Disease or Syndrome (T047)
MSH D001195
ICD9 501
ICD10 J61
SnomedCT 266400008, 196006003, 155589004, 22607003
English Asbestoses, Asbestosis, ASBESTOSIS, Asbestosis NOS, PULMONARY ASBESTOSIS, asbestosis, asbestosis (diagnosis), Asbestosis [Disease/Finding], pulmonary asbestosis, asbestoses, Asbestosis NOS (disorder), Amianthosis, Asbestos pneumoconiosis, Pulmonary asbestosis, Asbestosis (disorder)
French ASBESTOSE, Asbestose
Portuguese ASBESTOSE, Asbestose
Japanese 石綿肺症, セキメンハイショウ
Swedish Asbestos
Czech azbestóza, Azbestóza
Finnish Asbestoosi
Russian ASBESTOZ, АСБЕСТОЗ
Croatian AZBESTOZA
Polish Azbestoza, Pylica azbestowa
Hungarian Asbestosis
Spanish asbestosis, SAI (trastorno), asbestosis, SAI, amiantosis, asbestosis (trastorno), asbestosis, neumoconiosis por amianto, Asbestosis
Norwegian Asbestose
Dutch asbestose, Asbestose
German Asbestose
Italian Asbestosi