Comparison of the International Classification of High-resolution Computed Tomography for occupational and environmental respiratory diseases with the International Labor Organization International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconiosis

Abstract

The International Classification of High-resolution Computed Tomography for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) has been developed for screening and diagnosis of occupational lung diseases. We evaluated the association of icoerd with the International Labor Organization (ILO) classification and respiratory functions in pneumoconiosis. Chest x-rays of patients with pneumoconiosis were classified with ilo and icoerd using hrct, irregular opacity, pleural pathology, and emphysema was detected in 78, 19, and 53 patients, and using chest x-rays in 47, 4, and 14 patients, respectively. There was a significant correlation between ILO categories and ICOERD grades. There was a negative correlation between ILO categories and FEV1% and FVC%, whereas, ICOERD grades were not correlated with FEV1% and FVC%. HRCT was superior to chest x-rays to detect pneumoconiosis in early stage, but not in evaluating pulmonary functions.

Relations between vital capacity, CO diffusion capacity and computed tomographic findings of former asbestos-exposed patients: a cross-sectional study

“…This might be attributed to the moderate fibrosis (maximum score was 6 of theoretically achievable 18 points) in all cases. Likewise, Şener et al [33] described only a weak negative correlation between FEV 1 and FVC decrease with the increase of small opacitiy grades in HRCT; however, the D LCO was not investigated by these authors. Barnikel et al [34] showed a decrease of FVC and D LCO in 56 asbestos exposed subjects, particularly significant in cases with fibrotic phenotype in HRCT.…”

Early Identification, Accurate Diagnosis, and Treatment of Silicosis

“…However, these methods cannot detect the disease until it has significantly progressed [ 29 ]. Although it has been reported that CXR cannot reliably detect occupational lung diseases [ 30 ], it is still recommended in the diagnosis of silicosis by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Classification System [ 31 ]. Poor-quality chest radiographs, physicians' inability to recognize the disease, and the differential latency of various types of occupational lung diseases make it difficult to detect and estimate the burden of silicosis [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Pneumoconiosis: current status and future prospects

“…[ 26 ] The use of digital standard images makes telemedicine and remote counseling possible, and provides ample opportunity for the accurate and timely diagnosis of pneumoconiosis. While high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is more sensitive to the detection of early signs than chest x-rays are, [ 27 ] the International Classification of HRCT for Occupational and Environmental Respiratory Diseases (ICOERD) has developed and recommended a list of diagnoses for occupational and environmental related lung diseases. [ 28 ] ILO classification remains valid for practical reasons, because there is currently no global standard.…”

“…[ 28 ] ILO classification remains valid for practical reasons, because there is currently no global standard. [ 8 , 27 ] Because imaging techniques cannot assess the functional status of the patient, pulmonary function tests (PFT) are used as a supplementary method of the evaluation of the disease. PFT can be used to assess dyspnea, distinguish between obstructive and restrictive diseases, and assess disease severity.…”

“…PFT can be used to assess dyspnea, distinguish between obstructive and restrictive diseases, and assess disease severity. [ 27 ] It is difficult to differentiate pneumoconiosis from similar diseases because of its long incubation period and vague clinical symptoms. Diagnosis relies on laboratory examinations, such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), to observe the sediment in the alveoli and exclude similar pulmonary diseases.…”