IRREGULAR OPACITIES IN COALWORKERS' PNEUMOCONIOSIS—CORRELATION WITH PULMONARY FUNCTION AND PATHOLOGY

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Abstract
Forty-six men who had been referred for lung function tests during life and who had died between 1970 and 1979 were studied. Many of their radiographs showed irregular opacities. The radiographs were reviewed using the ILO 1980 classification and pathological material, both whole lung sections and histological sections, were reviewed by two pathologists. Scores for irregularity were derived from the radiograph readings; emphysema and interstitial disease scores were derived from the review of pathology. Irregular opacities on the radiograph were associated with a reduced gas transfer factor and reduced total lung capacity. They were also associated with the pathological emphysema score and to a lesser extent with the interstitial disease score. Higher emphysema scores were associated with a reduced gas transfer factor and an increased total lung capacity. The interstitial disease score was associated with a reduced gas transfer factor. The results suggest that irregular opacities on the radiograph in coalworkers may represent a combination of emphysema and interstitial fibrosis. The cause of the fibrosis is unexplained.

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