Conor P Murray1, Patrick M Wong1, Joelin Teh1, Nick de Klerk2,3, Tim Rosenow3, Helman Alfonso4, Alison Reid4, Peter Franklin2, A W Bill Musk2,5,6, Fraser J H Brims7,8,9. 1. Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 2. School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 3. Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. 4. School of Public Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 5. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 6. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. 7. Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. fraser.brims@uwa.edu.au. 8. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. fraser.brims@uwa.edu.au. 9. Institute for Respiratory Health, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. fraser.brims@uwa.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT)-based studies of asbestos-exposed individuals report a high prevalence of lung cancer, but the utility of low dose CT (LDCT) to screen asbestos-exposed populations is not established. We aimed to describe the prevalence of indeterminate pulmonary nodules and incidental findings on chest LDCT of asbestos-exposed subjects in Western Australia. METHODS: A total of 906 subjects from the Western Australian Asbestos Review Programme underwent LDCT of the chest as part of regular annual review. An indeterminate (solid) nodule was defined as >50 mm3 and part-solid/non-solid nodules >5 mm. The presence of asbestos-related diseases was recorded with a standardized report. RESULTS: Subjects were mostly (81%) men with a median age of 70 years. Fifty-eight (6.5%) participants were current smokers, 511 (56.4%) ex-smokers and 325 (36.4%) never-smokers. One hundred and four indeterminate nodules were detected in 77 subjects (8.5%); of these, eight cases had confirmed lung cancer (0.88%). Eighty-seven subjects (9.6%) had incidental findings that required further investigation, 42 (4.6%) from lower airways inflammation. The majority of nodules were solid, 4-6 mm and more common with age. Five hundred and eighty (64%) subjects had pleural plaques, and 364 (40.2%) had evidence of interstitial lung disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LDCT-detected indeterminate lung nodules in 906 individuals with significant asbestos exposure was 8.5%, lower than many other CT studies. Clinically important incidental findings were found in 9.4%, predominantly related to lower respiratory tract inflammation. LDCT appears to effectively describe asbestos-related diseases and is likely to be an acceptable modality to monitor asbestos-exposed individuals.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Computed tomography (CT)-based studies of asbestos-exposed individuals report a high prevalence of lung cancer, but the utility of low dose CT (LDCT) to screen asbestos-exposed populations is not established. We aimed to describe the prevalence of indeterminate pulmonary nodules and incidental findings on chest LDCT of asbestos-exposed subjects in Western Australia. METHODS: A total of 906 subjects from the Western Australian Asbestos Review Programme underwent LDCT of the chest as part of regular annual review. An indeterminate (solid) nodule was defined as >50 mm3 and part-solid/non-solid nodules >5 mm. The presence of asbestos-related diseases was recorded with a standardized report. RESULTS: Subjects were mostly (81%) men with a median age of 70 years. Fifty-eight (6.5%) participants were current smokers, 511 (56.4%) ex-smokers and 325 (36.4%) never-smokers. One hundred and four indeterminate nodules were detected in 77 subjects (8.5%); of these, eight cases had confirmed lung cancer (0.88%). Eighty-seven subjects (9.6%) had incidental findings that required further investigation, 42 (4.6%) from lower airways inflammation. The majority of nodules were solid, 4-6 mm and more common with age. Five hundred and eighty (64%) subjects had pleural plaques, and 364 (40.2%) had evidence of interstitial lung disease. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LDCT-detected indeterminate lung nodules in 906 individuals with significant asbestos exposure was 8.5%, lower than many other CT studies. Clinically important incidental findings were found in 9.4%, predominantly related to lower respiratory tract inflammation. LDCT appears to effectively describe asbestos-related diseases and is likely to be an acceptable modality to monitor asbestos-exposed individuals.
Authors: David Manners; Patrick Wong; Conor Murray; Joelin Teh; Yi Jin Kwok; Nick de Klerk; Helman Alfonso; Peter Franklin; Alison Reid; A W Bill Musk; Fraser J H Brims Journal: Eur Radiol Date: 2017-01-12 Impact factor: 5.315