skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Gallium lung scanning and bronchoalveolar lavage in crocidolite-exposed workers

Journal Article · · Chest; (United States)

Gallium lung scanning is widely used to evaluate pulmonary inflammation in patients with interstitial lung disease but has not previously been reported in crocidolite-exposed workers. In order to characterize the pulmonary inflammation caused by crocidolite inhalation, GLS and BAL findings were related to chest x-ray film changes graded according to the ILO classification of roentgenograms of pneumoconioses. In individuals with roentgenographic evidence of asbestosis (CXR greater than or equal to 1/0, n = 15), 13 had a positive GLS and 13 had an abnormal BAL. In asbestos-exposed individuals with equivocal chest x-ray film changes (CXR 0/1, n = 12), six had a positive GLS and six had BAL changes (both GLS and BAL abnormal in three). In individuals with a normal chest x-ray film (CXR 0/0 n = 8), two had a positive GLS and two BAL changes (both abnormal in 1). These data demonstrate that most subjects with crocidolite-induced asbestosis have an abnormal GLS and BAL. In addition, many individuals with asbestos exposure and equivocal or no chest x-ray film changes have an abnormal GLS and/or BAL, suggesting the presence of active subclinical pulmonary inflammation in these individuals.

Research Organization:
Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands (Australia)
OSTI ID:
5600556
Journal Information:
Chest; (United States), Vol. 96:1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Natural history of asbestosis in former crocidolite workers of Wittenoom Gorge
Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1986 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States) · OSTI ID:5600556

Bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, gallium-67 lung scanning and soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels in asbestos exposure
Journal Article · Sat Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Environ. Res.; (United States) · OSTI ID:5600556

Lung disease associated with progressive systemic sclerosis. Assessment of interlobar variation by bronchoalveolar lavage and comparison with noninvasive evaluation of disease activity
Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1990 · American Review of Respiratory Disease (New York); (USA) · OSTI ID:5600556