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Asbestosis

See Also
Epidemiology
1. Prevalence: 200,000 in U.S.
2. Mortality: 2,000 deaths per year in U.S
Pathophysiology
1. Fibrotic lung disease secondary to Asbestos inhalation
Symptoms
1. Dry, non-productive cough
2. Exertional Dyspnea
Signs
1. Auscultory rales
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
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
Differential diagnosis
1. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
  1. IPF is a more rapid progression
2. Pulmonary fibrosis due to collagen vascular disease
Associated conditions
1. Pleural Plaques
2. Lung Cancer
  1. Use high index of suspicion
Management
1. No specific management
2. Tobacco Cessation
References
1. O'Reilly (2007) Am Fam Physician 75:683
2. (2004) Am J Respir Crit Care Med 170:691

Asbestosis (C0003949)
Definition (MSH)	A form of lung disease (pneumoconiosis) caused by inhaling fibers of asbestos and marked by interstitial fibrosis of the lung varying in extent from minor involvement of the basal areas to extensive scarring. It is associated with pleural mesothelioma and bronchogenic carcinoma. (Dorland, 27th ed)
Concepts	Disease or Syndrome (T047)
ICD9	501
English	Amianthosis, Asbestos pneumoconiosis, Asbestoses, Asbestosis, Pulmonary asbestosis
Spanish	amiantosis, asbestosis, neumoconiosis por amianto
Credits	Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)