Medical image of the week: asbestosis

Abstract

No abstract available. Article truncated at 150 words. A 76-year-old man with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and an unspecified industrial-related asbestos exposure presented to the hospital after a syncopal episode and a ground level fall. A computed tomography (CT) of the chest was performed on admission which revealed several abnormalities including multiple bilateral calcified pleural plaques, pleural thickening, peripheral groundglass opacities (GGO) in the nondependent portion of the lungs and subpleural reticular and band like opacities. The patient unfortunately developed alcohol withdrawal and aspiration pneumonia requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation and was unable to provide additional details regarding his lung disease. Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that historically was praised for its versatility. Its properties including heat and electrical resistance, tensile strength, and insulating capabilities made it a common component in materials used in both commercial and domestic settings. Exposure to asbestos is linked to numerous respiratory diseases, including pleural and parenchymal disease, both ...

Keywords

• asbestosis
• pleural plaques
• CT scan
• subpleural curvilinear opacities
• curvilinear opacities
• ground glass opacity
• parenchymal band
• pleural thickening
• asbesos
• peribronchial fibrosis