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Thin-Section CT Findings in Flock Worker’s Lung, a Work-related Interstitial Lung Disease¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology of University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E Ninth Ave, Denver, CO 80262 (D.A.W., D.A.L., S.P.J., J.D.N., D.E.M.); Brown University School of Medicine and Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket (R.S.C., C.K.); and Penobscot Bay Medical Center, Rockport, Me (D.G.K.). From the 2000 RSNA scientific assembly. Received June 18, 2001; revision requested August 10; final revision received August 7, 2002; accepted August 22. Address correspondence to D.A.L. (e-mail: david.lynch@uchsc.edu).

PURPOSE: To characterize the thin-section computed tomographic (CT) features of flock worker’s lung (FWL) and to determine whether these features may be used to distinguish workers with FWL from flock workers who do not fulfill diagnostic criteria for FWL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thin-section CT images obtained in 43 flock workers (including 11 with FWL) were reviewed independently by radiologists blinded to occupational and clinical details. CT features recorded included ground-glass opacities, consolidation, micronodules, reticular abnormality, and septal thickening. Thirty-five of the CT scans (including nine obtained in patients with FWL) were also studied by using quantitative image analysis. The Student t test was used to compare mean lung attenuation between the workers with FWL and those without it.

RESULTS: Every patient with FWL and 19 (59%) of the 32 exposed flock workers who did not meet criteria for the disease had an abnormal thin-section CT scan. The most common findings in FWL were ground-glass opacities and micronodules. Quantitative analysis showed a mean lung attenuation of -736.4 HU in patients with FWL, compared with -775.0 HU in workers without the disease (P < .05).

CONCLUSION: While ground-glass opacities, micronodules, or both were found in all cases of FWL, these abnormalities were also present in a substantial proportion of symptomatic flock workers who did not satisfy current criteria for FWL. Although nonspecific, these findings should suggest the diagnosis of FWL in exposed individuals.

© RSNA, 2003

Index terms: Images, analysis • Lung, CT, 60.12118 • Lung, function • Lung, ground-glass opacification • Lung, interstitial disease, 60.917 • Pneumoconiosis, 60.779

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