Evaluation of dental technician's pneumoconiosis using chest X-ray and HRCT: correlation between radiological and functional findings

Abstract

Background/aim: This study aimed to compare high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings with those of chest X-ray (CXR) and to evaluate the relationship of pulmonary function test (PFT) parameters with HRCT and CXR findings in cases of dental technician's pneumoconiosis. Materials and methods: CXR, PFT, and HRCT data of 89 dental technicians who were diagnosed with pneumoconiosis were retrospectively evaluated. Results: The cases of 24 dental technicians (27%) classified as normal (Category 0) based on CXR were evaluated as Category 1 according to HRCT. There was an inverse correlation of PFT parameters with nodular profusion score in CXR and all HRCT parameters. In this participant sample, small opacities were predominant (70% of the individuals), and worsening of PFT parameters was associated with the prevalence of pulmonary parenchymal changes. Conclusion: In the present study, micronodules detected using HRCT had an effect on pulmonary function worsening, which has not been reported in previous studies.