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Title: Patterns of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachian former coal miners

Abstract

To aid in diagnostic chest film interpretation of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, a composite profile of common radiologic patterns was developed in 98 Appalachian former coal miners who were diagnosed as having coal miner's pneumoconiosis and who applied for black lung benefits. The mean age was 61 years, with a lifetime coal mine dust exposure of 18.7 years. Results showed that chest radiographs of coal workers' simple pneumoconiosis contained small irregular linear opacities more frequently (47%) than small rounded opacities. Sparse profusion of all small opacities was the rule. Small opacities involved two out of six lung zones simultaneously 39% of the time while other combinations occurred less frequently. Lower zones were involved more frequently than upper ones. Thickened pleura occurred in 18% of radiographs. Other frequent radiographic abnormalities were parenchymal calcifications (19%), marked emphysema (12%), and inactive tuberculosis (12%). Calcification of the aortic knob, a degenerative process reflecting age, occurred in 9%. Only one instance of complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis (progressive massive fibrosis) was encountered (0.7%). Many of the descriptive features of coal workers' pneumoconiosis noted in the literature were not observed in this study. Only one instance of complicated pneumoconiosis was encountered.43 references.

Authors:
; ; ;  [1]
  1. College of Pharmacy, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans (United States)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5097896
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of the National Medical Association; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 84:1; Journal ID: ISSN 0027-9684
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT; 63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.; CHEST; BIOMEDICAL RADIOGRAPHY; COAL MINERS; PNEUMOCONIOSES; COAL MINING; HEALTH HAZARDS; APPALACHIA; CHRONIC EXPOSURE; OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE; BODY; BODY AREAS; DIAGNOSTIC TECHNIQUES; DISEASES; HAZARDS; MEDICINE; MINERS; MINING; NUCLEAR MEDICINE; PERSONNEL; RADIOLOGY; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES; 016000* - Coal, Lignite, & Peat- Health & Safety; 560300 - Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology

Citation Formats

Young, Jr, R C, Rachal, R E, Carr, P G, and Press, H C. Patterns of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachian former coal miners. United States: N. p., 1992. Web.
Young, Jr, R C, Rachal, R E, Carr, P G, & Press, H C. Patterns of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachian former coal miners. United States.
Young, Jr, R C, Rachal, R E, Carr, P G, and Press, H C. 1992. "Patterns of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachian former coal miners". United States.
@article{osti_5097896,
title = {Patterns of coal workers' pneumoconiosis in Appalachian former coal miners},
author = {Young, Jr, R C and Rachal, R E and Carr, P G and Press, H C},
abstractNote = {To aid in diagnostic chest film interpretation of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, a composite profile of common radiologic patterns was developed in 98 Appalachian former coal miners who were diagnosed as having coal miner's pneumoconiosis and who applied for black lung benefits. The mean age was 61 years, with a lifetime coal mine dust exposure of 18.7 years. Results showed that chest radiographs of coal workers' simple pneumoconiosis contained small irregular linear opacities more frequently (47%) than small rounded opacities. Sparse profusion of all small opacities was the rule. Small opacities involved two out of six lung zones simultaneously 39% of the time while other combinations occurred less frequently. Lower zones were involved more frequently than upper ones. Thickened pleura occurred in 18% of radiographs. Other frequent radiographic abnormalities were parenchymal calcifications (19%), marked emphysema (12%), and inactive tuberculosis (12%). Calcification of the aortic knob, a degenerative process reflecting age, occurred in 9%. Only one instance of complicated coal workers' pneumoconiosis (progressive massive fibrosis) was encountered (0.7%). Many of the descriptive features of coal workers' pneumoconiosis noted in the literature were not observed in this study. Only one instance of complicated pneumoconiosis was encountered.43 references.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5097896}, journal = {Journal of the National Medical Association; (United States)},
issn = {0027-9684},
number = ,
volume = 84:1,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}