- Ubiquitous use of asbestos put many at risk
- Particular problems with roofers, shipyard workers, those making gas masks in World War II
Aetiology
- Deposition of inhaled blue fibres in airways
- Synergistic effect of smoking
Clinical features
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Chest pain
Investigations
- Chest X-ray
- Fine reticulonodular shadowing
- Honeycomb lung
- Pleural plaques/effusion
- Spirometry - restrictive +/- decrease gas transfer
Diseases caused by asbestos
- Pleural plaques
- Pleural effusion
- Bilateral diffuse pleural thickening
- Mesothelioma occurs 20-40 years after exposure to asbestos dust
- Asbestosis (restrictive fibrotic lung disease)
- Carcinoma of the bronchus
- Patients eligible for industrial injuries benefit
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