Arch Bronconeumol. 2015;xxx(xx):xxx-xxx w w w . a r c h b r o n c o n e u m o l . o r g a b s t r a c tRecently, a number of reports have been published on silicosis in workers exposed to artificial quartz conglomerates containing high levels of crystalline silica particles (70%-90%) used in the construction of kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Three cases of silicosis in workers exposed to artificial quartz conglomerates are reported. The diagnosis was derived from both the International Labour Office and the International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) classifications and cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In 2 cases, levels of respirable silica greatly in excess of recommended standards were measured in the workplace, and cytological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid highlighted a prevalence of lymphocytes, meeting criteria for the diagnosis of accelerated silicosis.The prevention of pneumoconiosis caused by the use of innovative materials such as artificial conglomerates with high crystalline silica content must be addressed. Silicosis en trabajadores expuestos a conglomerados artificiales de cuarzo: ¿es distinta a la silicosis crónica simple?Palabras clave: Silicosis Conglomerados de cuarzo Líquido del lavado broncoalveolar TAC de alta resolución © 2014 SEPAR. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. Todos los derechos reservados.ଝ Please cite this article as: Paolucci V, Romeo R, Sisinni AG, Bartoli D, Mazzei MA, Sartorelli P. Silicosis en trabajadores expuestos a conglomerados artificiales de cuarzo: ¿es distinta a la silicosis crónica simple? Arch Bronconeumol. 2015.

Pleural plaques (PPs) may be a risk factor for mortality from lung cancer in asbestos-exposed workers and are considered to be a marker of exposure. Diagnosing PPs is also important because asbestos-exposed patients should be offered a health surveillance that is mandatory in many countries. On the other hand PPs are useful for compensation purposes. In this study we aimed to evaluate the prevalence, as incidental findings, and the underreporting rate of PPs in chest CT scans (CTs) performed in a cohort of patients (1512) who underwent chest CT with a slice thickness no more than 1.25 mm. PPs were found in 76 out of 1482 patients (5.1%); in 13 out of 76 (17,1%) CTs were performed because of clinical suspicion of asbestos exposure and 5 of them (38%) were underreported by radiologist. In the remaining 63 cases (82.9%) there was no clinical suspicion of asbestos exposure at the time of CTs (incidental findings) and in 38 of these 63 patients (60.3%) PPs were underreported. Reaching a correct diagnosis of PPs requires a good knowledge of normal locoregional anatomy and rigorous technical approach in chest CT execution. However the job history of the patient should always be kept in mind.

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