Nonspecificity of high-resolution CT

This paper evaluates the specificity of parenchymal features on high-resolution (HRCT) scans in patients with asbestos-related abnormalities. One hundred fourteen HRCT scans were evaluated in patients with previous exposure to asbestos (n = 11) and in patients with no history or radiologic evidence of previous asbestos exposure (n = 103). The scans were assessed for evidence of septal lines (dependent and nondependent), parenchymal bands, subpleural curvilinear densities, increased dependent densities, and honeycomb lung by two chest radiologists not involved in the patient selection. Septal lines, parenchymal bands, subcurvilinear densities, increased dependent densities, and honeycomb lung were identified in 44%, 37%, 9%, 8%, and 0%, respectively, of patients with no history of asbestos exposure; and in 56%, 33%, 22%, 11%, and 0%, respectively of patients with prior asbestos exposure. These features, as isolated findings, are not specific to asbestosis