PLEURAL PLAQUES - CORRELATION OF AUTOPSY FINDINGS TO RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AND OCCUPATIONAL HISTORY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 61  (6) , 315-319
Abstract
An investigation was made to correlate autopsy findings of asbestos-caused pleural plaques (PP) to the occupational history and findings of such plaques at X-ray before the patient''s death. A good correlation was found between occupation and occurrence of PP at autopsy. Using strict criteria, 12.5% of all PP observed at autopsy, including small ones, were visible at X-ray. Almost half (3 of 8) of the widespread changes found at autopsy were seen on the X-rays. With more liberal roentgenological criteria, 11 of the 24 cases were noted, but there were also 15 false positives.