The value of nonradiological indicators in the early diagnosis of asbestosis.

The early pulmonary lesions due to long and to short asbestos fibres are described. The signs that such preradiological 'asbestosis' present can be used as nonradiological indicators. These are: asbestos bodies in the sputum, siderocytes in the sputum, crepitating basal rales, restrictive ventilatory insufficiency and impairment of alveolar-capillary diffusion of gases. The predictive value of combinations of these indicators was studied in 182 moderately and heavily exposed asbestos workers. The results show that the presence of pulmonary lesions due to asbestos can be diagnosed in 80-90% of cases, independently of the results of radiological examination.