Evaluation of dental technician's pneumoconiosis using chest X-rayand HRCT: correlation between radiological and functional findings.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings with those of chest X-ray (CXR) and to evaluate the relationship of pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters with HRCT and CXR findings in cases of dental technician's pneumoconiosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CXR, PFT, and HRCT data of 89 dental technicians who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

The cases of 24 dental technicians (27%) classified as normal (Category 0) based on CXR were evaluated as Category 1 according to HRCT. There was an inverse correlation of PFT parameters with nodular profusion score in CXR and all HRCT parameters. In this participant sample, small opacities were predominant (70% of the individuals), and worsening of PFT parameters was associated with the prevalence of pulmonary parenchymal changes.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, micronodules detected using HRCT had an effect on pulmonary function worsening, which has not been reported in previous studies.