Occupational Lung Diseases: Underreported Diagnosis in Radiological Practice

Abstract

Underreporting of occupational lung diseases is a widespread problem in clinical practice. In Europe there is not a common regulation even for the recognition of occupational cancers. Furthermore epidemiologic data on occupational interstitial lung diseases, in general, is limited by no standardized diagnostic criteria, varied physician awareness and training, limitations inherent to the various data sources, and the long latency period. Therefore, to optimize the management of the patient with occupational pathology, the collaboration and skills of the multidisciplinary at the service of the patient, play a fundamental role. In particular, radiologists should give substance to a clinical suspicion on an anamnestic basis and at the same time should recognize patterns of illness that can lead to the emergence of stories of misunderstood exposures. This article aims to provide an overview of the main occupational lung diseases with attention to diagnostic possibilities of the different imaging techniques. The issue of the radiological error is investigated, providing tools to minimize it in the daily practice.