ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Occupational Lung Diseases

Occupational lung disease is a category of disease entities characterized by a reaction of the lung parenchyma to inhaled aerosolized particles found in the environment. This document summarizes the imaging appropriateness data for silicosis, coal worker pneumoconiosis, and asbestosis. The main points of the document are that computed tomography is more sensitive than radiography, computed tomography without contrast generally suffices for evaluation, and fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography may have utility in patients with mesothelioma. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 3 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and review includes an exte...

from MedWorm: Mesothelioma http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=158997831&cid=c_409_37_f&fid=34332&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjournals.lww.com%2Fthoracicimaging%2FFulltext%2F2016%2F01000%2FACR_Appropriateness_Criteria__Occupational_Lung.11.aspx