Diagnosis
Asbestosis can be difficult to diagnose because its signs and symptoms are like many other types of respiratory diseases.
When evaluating respiratory symptoms, your doctor will discuss your health history, occupation, and exposure risk to asbestos. During a physical exam, your doctor uses a stethoscope to listen carefully to your lungs to determine if they make a crackling sound while inhaling.
A variety of diagnostic tests may help pinpoint a diagnosis.
Imaging Tests
These tests provide a visual image of your lungs:
- Chest X-ray: Advanced asbestosis appears as excessive whiteness in your lung tissue. It may affect both lungs if the asbestosis is severe, giving them a honeycomb appearance.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan: CT scans combine a series of X-ray views taken from many angles to produce cross-sectional images of the bones and soft tissues inside your body. These scans provide greater detail and might help detect asbestosis in its early stages, even before it shows up on a chest X-ray.
Pulmonary Function Tests
These tests determine how well your lungs are functioning. Pulmonary function tests measure how much air your lungs can hold and the airflow in and out of your lungs.
During the test, your doctor may ask you to blow as hard as you can into an air-measurement device called a spirometer. More complete pulmonary function tests can measure the amount of oxygen being transferred to your bloodstream.
Diagnostic Procedures
In some situations, your doctor might take fluid and tissue samples for testing to identify asbestos fibers or abnormal cells. Tests may include:
- Bronchoscopy: A thin tube (bronchoscope) is passed through your nose or mouth, down your throat and into your lungs. A light and a small camera on the bronchoscope allow the doctor to look inside your lungs for any abnormalities or to get a fluid or tissue sample (biopsy) if needed.
- Thoracentesis: In this procedure, your doctor injects a local anesthetic and then inserts a needle through your chest wall between your ribs and lungs to remove excess fluid for lab analysis and to help you breathe better. Your doctor might insert the needle with the help of ultrasound guidance.
Treatment
There is no treatment to reverse the effects of asbestos on the alveoli. Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease, relieving symptoms, and preventing complications.
If diagnosed with asbestosis, you will need routine follow-up care, such as chest X-rays or CT scans and lung function tests, at regular intervals depending on the severity of your condition.
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1-3. Which test will determine how well your lungs are functioning?
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