Evaluation of multi-row spiral CT in diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis

Objective To investigate the clinical value of multi-row spiral computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis.

Methods  From January 2016 to July 2018, the digit X-ray (DR) and multi-row spiral CT (abbr. CT) examination of 99 patients suspected with occupational pneumoconiosis were performed and the results were compared with the definite diagnosis made by the certificated doctors.

Results  Of 99 patients suspected with occupational pneumoconiosis, 65 were clinically diagnosed as occupational pneumoconiosis, among whom 63 and 62 cases were diagnosed by DR examination and CT, respectively. Among 34 negatively diagnosed cases, 1 and 2 cases were diagnosed as occupational pneumoconiosis by DR and CT examination, respectively. There was no significant difference in the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of DR and CT examination in the diagnosis of pneumoconiosis (P > 0.05). However, CT examination detected more cases with occupational pneumoconiosis in the stage Ⅰ than DR examination(P < 0.05), while there was no statistical difference of detection of cases with occupational pneumoconiosis in the stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P > 0.05). There was no significant difference of the diagnosis of pulmonary bullae, emphysema, pulmonary infection, pleural hypertrophy and adhesion among the patients with occupational pneumoconiosis between DR and CT examination(P > 0.05). The consistency of DR and CT examination with definite diagnosis was 0.933 and 0.956, respectively.

Conclusion  Multi-row spiral CT has a good clinical value in the diagnosis of occupational pneumoconiosis. It can be used for sensitive detection of occupational pneumoconiosis and its complications. It can also be used for accurate differentiation of occupational pneumoconiosis stages.