Asbestosis
Environmental and/or occupational mineral fiber inhalation can result in significant pulmonary disease (pneumoconiosis). Asbestosis, or parenchymal lung disease due to asbestos fiber inhalation, results from significant fiber burden related to both the intensity and duration of exposure. Chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite asbestos, as well as non-commercial amphibole asbestos anthophyllite have been implicated in the development of asbestosis. Clinical features of asbestosis mimic those of other parenchymal fibrosing diseases. Radiographic features include characteristic lower lobe reticulonodular infiltrates and curvilinear lines. Histopathologic features include progressive peribronchiolar and septal fibrosis, with honeycomb change present in advanced disease. The presence of asbestos bodies is a prerequisite to invoke a diagnosis of asbestosis in the setting of an appropriate parenchymal pattern of fibrosis. The main differential diagnoses include fibrosing interstitial pneumonitides such as usual interstitial pneumonia as well as other pneunoconioses.
