Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- occupational exposure
- longer duration of exposure
- smoking history
Other diagnostic factors
- dyspnea on exertion
- cough
- crackles
- indirect exposure
- chest pain
- clubbing
Risk factors
- cumulative dose of inhaled asbestos
- cigarette smoking
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- CXR: posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral
- pulmonary function tests
Investigations to consider
- high-resolution CT chest
- lung biopsy
- bronchial lavage
Treatment algorithm
all patients
Contributors
Authors
Kenneth D. Rosenman, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
Michigan State University
East Lansing
MI
Disclosures
KDR has been an expert witness for both defendants and plaintiffs in work-related lawsuits concerning asbestos exposure. KDR is also the author of several papers referenced in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Henry A. Anderson, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Wisconsin Division of Public Health
Madison
WI
Disclosures
HAA declares that he has no competing interests.
Keir Lewis, MD
Senior Clinical Lecturer
Institute of Life Sciences
Swansea University
Swansea
UK
Disclosures
KL declares that he has no competing interests.
Thomasz J. Kuzniar, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Evanston Northwestern Healthcare
Evanston
IL
Disclosures
TJK declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
- Connective tissue disease
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP)
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Consensus report: asbestos, asbestosis and cancer: the Helsinki criteria for diagnosis and attribution 2014
- Diagnosis and initial management of nonmalignant diseases related to asbestos
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