Radiologic evaluation of silicotuberculosis

This study was analyzed 130 cases of silicotuberculosis impressed by clinical pictures at Ewha Womans University Hospoital and industrial Rehabilitation Center from Oct. 1981 to April 1982, with special emphasis onradiologic findings. 130 cases of silicotuberculosis consisted of 42 cases (32.3%) of 40-49 year of age group, 110 cases (84.6%) of quarrymen, 77 cases (59.2%) of 10-19 year of working group. According to UICC(international Union Against Cancer)/cincinnati classsification, radiologic findings showed 40.8% of Category 2, 25.4% of Category 3,20.8% of Category 1 with high frequentcy of q-size (46.2%) and r-size(33.8%) and 17.4% of Large opacities(Category A,B,& C). Suggestive tuberculous lesion was noted in upper lung field with frequency of 84.5%. So, thisstudy showed significant relationshiop between the degree of opacities and year of age, kind of job, and year ofworking. the conditions and site of predilection are also found. Radiologically noted major complications are emphysema, pleural adhesion, mediastinal adhesion, diaphragmatic adhesion, bronchiectasis, obstructive emphysema,pleural effusion, cor pulmonale, pneulmothorax in order. Most frequent radiological finding to emphasizetuberculous lesion was new infiltration in upper lung field (45.4%), but it had only 22.0% of AFB positive rate.Otherwise, finding of carity formation was less frequent (25.4%), but had high AFB positive rate (60.6%). So, incases of suspicious silicotuberculosis, detection of the cavitary lesion was most important in confirmatorydiagnosis.