A Study on the Early Diagnosis of Pneumoconiosis

Lim, Young; Yun, Im Goung

Abstract

In order to assess the method which is more sensitive one to detect the early change of lung tissue by the inhaled dust, we have performed the various medical examinations such as chest radiography, pulmonary function test, high resolution chest CT, bronchoalveolar lavage and lung biopsy used bronchoscope and ultrathin bronchoscopy examination to 48 persons. The control group were 8 persons who did not exposed to dust, 40 cases of the experimental group have professionally exposed to the mineral dust. The results were as follows ; 1. The total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group classified by chest and high resolution chest CT. 2. The composition rate of macrophage to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly decreased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 3. The composition rate of neutophils and lymphocytes to the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly increased in all of the pneumoconiosis group compared with the control group. 4. The forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMF), and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV) were significantly increased only in the group of the progressed pneumoconiosis relatively. 5. We observed submocosal edema, anthracotic pigmentation and granuloma formation in transbronchial lung biopsy of the suspected pneumoconiosis (category 0/1) case which is thought to the early change of coal workers' pneumoconiosis.