Skip directly to site content Skip directly to search


Español  Other Languages


An official website of the United States government Here's how you know
 Official icon**Official websites use .gov**
				A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Lock icon**Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
				A lock (  ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC twenty four seven. Saving Lives, Protecting People
	CDC LogoCDC Logo
 Search

		×
			NIOSH
			NIOSH

				All CDC
				Submit


The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)





Study Syllabus for Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses						Print
																Related Pages
										Clinical OverviewMajor Occupational Lung DiseasesPneumoconioses
Coal Mine Dust Lung Disease (Part 2)
Small irregular opacities may also be an isolated radiographic finding, most commonly in the lower lungs [Laney and Petsonk 2012; Cockcroft et al. 1983; Collins et al. 1988]. While these irregular opacities can be related to smoking, some are due to lung fibrosis, and can be progressive. Indeed, there are reports of a pattern of diffuse interstitial fibrosis characterized by lower lung predominant fibrosis (Fig. 6), with histology similar to usual interstitial pneumonia including peripheral subpleural honeycombing, traction bronchiectasis, and ground glass opacity [Honma and Chityotani 1993; Brichet et al. 1997; Katabami et al. 2000]. Recognizing this pattern is important as it may be associated with lung cancer[Katabami et al. 2000] and with rapidly progressive CWP, (defined as progression of ILO classification by greater than one sub-category over five years or less or the development of PMF in miners exposed after 1980 see Antao et. al.) [Cohen et al. 2016; Blackley et al. 2014; Antao et al. 2005]. CT is helpful for confirmation and characterization of this pattern of abnormality, and comprehensive clinical evaluation is needed to assess other potentially treatable interstitial lung diseases.
Rapidly progressive CWP has been observed in recent years in the U.S. often in younger Appalachian miners [Cohen et al. 2016; Blackley et al. 2014; Antao et al. 2005]. Careful comparison with prior radiographs is important to identify this clinically significant entity.
Multiple studies of coal miners show a consistent and dose-dependent relationship between exposure to respirable coal mine dust and chronic airways diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis [NIOSH 2011]. Coal mine dust injures the airways in an additive fashion with tobacco smoking [Kuempel et al. 2009]. All pathologic types of emphysema are associated with coal mine dust exposure, and the pathological severity of emphysema is proportional to the retained lung dust content [Green et al. 1998; Leigh 1990]. Lung function abnormalities are typically obstructive. The diffusion capacity may be decreased, and exercise-related ventilatory and gas exchange abnormalities are common.
Medical management of CMDLD consists mainly of supportive care, when appropriate, such as supplemental oxygen, bronchodilators, smoking cessation counseling, recommended vaccinations, weight loss, regular exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation. Early disease recognition to minimize or eliminate ongoing coal mine dust exposure and for appropriate benefits counseling is important. If a careful occupational exposure history is obtained, lung biopsy is rarely needed to confirm chest imaging findings of CWP.COAL MINE DUST LUNG DISEASE (PART 1)Page 3 of 6ASBESTOSIS
							
					
							Last Reviewed:  April 26, 2023						Source: 	National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
					Facebook
        Twitter
        LinkedIn
        Syndicate homeStudy Syllabus for Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses
Introductionplus icon
Preface
Appreciation to Contributors
Intent of the Self-study Syllbus
Getting Started
Clinical Overviewplus icon
Major Occupational Lung Diseasesplus icon
Pneumoconioses
Central Role of Diagnostic Imagingplus icon
Role of CT
Overview of Nonimaging Clinical Tools in Lung Disease Diagnosis
Appendix A
References
Pathology Overviewplus icon
Pulmonary Silicosis
Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis
Asbestos Pleuropulmonary Disease
Pathological-Clinical Correlations
References
Radiograph Classificationplus icon
SUBSET 1 – Radiograph Classification, #1 to #19plus icon
Introduction
Radiograph Identification
Section 1: Image Quality
Section 2: Parenchymal Abnormalities, #1 to #14
Section 3: Pleural Abnormalities, #15 to #19
Section 4: Any Other Abnormalities
Section 5
SUBSET 2 – Radiograph #20 to #27plus icon
Radiograph #20
Radiograph #21
Radiograph #22
Radiograph #23
Radiograph #24
Radiographs #25 to #27
SUBSET 3 – Radiograph #28 to #38plus icon
Radiographs #28 to #30
Radiographs #31 to #32
Radiographs #33 to #35
Radiographs #36 to #38
SUBSET 4 – Radiograph #39 to #46 (Small and Large Opacities)plus icon
Radiographs #39 to #40
Radiographs #41 to #42
Radiographs #43 to #44
Radiograph #45
Radiograph #46
SUBSET 5 – Classifications and Answer Keys, Radiographs #47 to #83
Quiz Error processing SSI file  Follow NIOSH Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter
YouTube
 NIOSH Homepage NIOSH A-Z
Workplace Safety & Health Topics
Publications and Products
Programs
Contact NIOSH


About CDC
					Contact Us
					800-232-4636
 Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn Youtube Pinterest Snapchat
 CONTACT CDC
				Contact Us
							Call 800-232-4636
							Email Us
			ABOUT CDC
				About CDC
							Jobs
							Funding
			POLICIES
				Accessibility
							External Links
							Privacy
							Policies
							No Fear Act
							FOIA
							OIG
							Nondiscrimination
							Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			CONNECT WITH US
				Facebook
								Twitter
								Instagram
								LinkedIn
							Youtube
								Pinterest
								Snapchat
								Email
			LANGUAGES
				Español
							繁體中文
							Tiếng Việt
							한국어
							Tagalog
							Русский
							العربية
							Kreyòl Ayisyen
							Français
							Polski
							Português
							Italiano
							Deutsch
							日本語
							فارسی
							English


U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
			Accessibility
			External Links
			Privacy
			Policies
			No Fear Act
			FOIA
			Nondiscrimination
			OIG
			Vulnerability Disclosure Policy
			USA.gov


Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy Close
 Links with this icon  indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
				Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
				You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
				CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. Website Disclaimers
 Cancel Continue