Radiologic findings of anthracofibrosis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the CT findings of bronchial anthracofibrosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Fourteen patientswith bronchoscopically confirmed anthracofibrosis were involved in this study. CT findings (n=12) wereretrospectively analysed ; the pattern, distribution and extent of bronchial and parenchymal abnormalities andadditional findings such as mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion were assessed. Age, sex, andoccupational and disease history were also reviewed. RESULT: Patients were aged between 63 and 95 (mean,71.3)years, and ten were female. Only one patient had an occupational history, but four had a history of pulmonarytuberculosis. Frequent radiologic findings were bronchial wall thickening(n=6), atelectasis(n=8), mediastinallymphadenopathy(n=7) and mass(n=4). Other accompanying findings were bronchial wall calcification(n=3),consolidation(n=2) and pleural effusion(n=2). Right upper (n=7) and right middle lobe(n=7) were the most commonlyinvolved sites, and multifocal involvement(n=7) was frequent. CONCLUSION: Bronchial wall thickening, atelectasisand mediastinal lymphadenopathy were characteristic CT findings of anthracofibrosis. When such findings are notedin older or aged female patients, anthracofibrosis should be included in the differential diagnosis.