Clinical, Bronchographic, Radiological, and Physiological Observations in Ten Cases of Asbestosis

Cardiopulmonary Function Studies in Workers Dealing with Asbestos and Glasswool

“…DECREASED VITAL CAPACITY This is a common finding (Leathart, 1960;Bastenier, Denolin, de Coster, and Englert, 1955;Williams and Hugh-Jones, 1960) and in our subjects the V.C. averaged 76% of predicted normal.…”

“…LOW COMPLIANCE OF THE LUNG Leathart (1960) found a markedly reduced dynamic compliance which was closely correlated to the reduction in vital capacity. Similar findings have been reported by Rubino, Garbagni, Scansetti, and Carelli (1961).…”

“…The absence of radiological findings was considered confirmative. Nevertheless any patho-physiological findings in group B should be judged with caution since asbestosis might occur even without radiological changes (Williams and Hugh-Jones, 1960;Leathart, 1960). In spite of prolonged exposure to glasswool and rockwool dust no subjects in group B have shown impairment of those cardiopulmonary functions studied.…”

The Discriminant Value of Pulmonary Function Tests in Asbestosis

“…We do not as yet know of any pathological confirmation t h a t the bronchi are larger in proportion to lung volume in asbestosis. Bronchiectasis is said to be frequently present (Leathart, 1960) and may have arisen a s the result of localized fibrosis. I t may be inferred that, where parenchymal fibrosis is scattered more diffusely throughout the lung, expiratory collapse of the bronchi is less likely and that, because of this, severe airway obstruction is uncommon in this condition.…”

Lung Function in Relation to Radiographic Changes in Asbestos Workers

“…The pattern of lung function changes in asbestosis is characterized by a restrictive ventilatory insufficiency with impairment of gas exchange in re lation to a pulmonary diffuse fibrosis [Marks et al, 1957;Read and Wil liams, 1959;Leathart, 1960;Bader et al, 1961Bader et al, ,1965; H eard and Williams, 1961; Rubino et al, 1961;Bjure et al, 1964;G aly and Pellet, 1964;Sartorelli, 1963Sartorelli, , 1964Sartorelli et al, 1964; Thomson et al, 1965;Becklake et al, 1970;Langlands et al, 1971], It is interesting to note that a reduction in pulmonary diffusing capacity for CO, both with single breath and steady-state methods, was frequently demonstrated in asbestos-exposed subjects with very slight radiographic changes and also with normal X-ray [Williams, 1964;Leathart, 1968;Sartorelli, 1966;Kleinfeld et al, 1966;H arries, 1969].…”