Gelb A F
Department of Medicine, UCLA Medical Center.
Occup Med. 1991 Jan-Mar;6(1):59-68.
In summary, although CT scans can demonstrate abnormalities, there are minimal data suggesting that these findings are of physiologic significance. This observation would be similar to the CT detection of unsuspected pleural plaques on routine chest radiographs in workers or others exposed to asbestos fiber who remain clinically asymptomatic with normal lung function. Further radiographic progression and clinical and/or functional impairment would not be generally expected for localized pleural plaques and/or radiographically negative, 0/1, 1/0, or 1/1 asbestosis. Radiographic progression has infrequently been noted following withdrawal from exposure. Understanding of underlying physiologic mechanisms and attention to the meaning of pathologic-physiologic relationships can help improve the utilization of pulmonary function testing for preventing occupational lung disease.
总之，尽管CT扫描能够显示异常情况，但仅有极少数据表明这些发现具有生理学意义。这一观察结果类似于在常规胸部X光片上对接触石棉纤维的工人或其他人员意外发现的胸膜斑进行CT检测，这些人临床上无症状且肺功能正常。对于局限性胸膜斑和/或影像学表现为阴性的0/1、1/0或1/1期石棉肺，一般不会预期出现进一步的影像学进展以及临床和/或功能损害。在脱离接触后，很少会观察到影像学进展。理解潜在的生理机制并关注病理生理关系的意义有助于提高肺功能测试在预防职业性肺病方面的应用。
