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International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health

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01-01-2010 | Original Article

Inter-reader variability in chest radiography and HRCT for the early detection of asbestos-related lung and pleural abnormalities in a cohort of 636 asbestos-exposed subjects

Authors: Elke Ochsmann, Tanja Carl, Peter Brand, Hans-Jürgen Raithel, Thomas Kraus

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 1/2010

Abstract

Purpose

To compare inter-reader variability of chest X-ray and high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans of formerly asbestos-exposed employees over a 4-year period.

Methods

In this longitudinal study, 636 formerly asbestos-exposed persons were annually examined with chest radiographs and HRCT scans. Ten observer pairs classified the radiographs and HRCT scans, using the ILO classification and a custom-made CT classification. Inter-observer variability was calculated using the κ-coefficient.

Results

Despite all expectations, HRCT inter-reader variability according to asbestos-related lung or pleura alterations at an early stage did not turn out to be better than X-ray inter-reader variability. Substantial inter-observer agreement was found for pleural calcifications (κ_X-ray = 0.63; κ_CT = 0.64). Averaging over κ led to fair inter-observer agreement of both methods (κ_X-ray = 0.36; κ_CT = 0.34).

Conclusions

High resolution computed tomography scans are superior to X-rays in detecting lung alterations after asbestos exposure and are supposedly easier to interpret. Nevertheless, inter-observer variability did not differ between the two methods in this study. This was probably due to the only discrete asbestos-related lung or pleura alterations of this cohort and to the unfamiliar CT classification sheet, which was revised on the basis of the presented results.

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Title: Inter-reader variability in chest radiography and HRCT for the early detection of asbestos-related lung and pleural abnormalities in a cohort of 636 asbestos-exposed subjects
Authors: Elke Ochsmann
Tanja Carl
Peter Brand
Hans-Jürgen Raithel
Thomas Kraus
Publication date: 01-01-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 1/2010
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-009-0443-4

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Inter-reader variability in chest radiography and HRCT for the early detection of asbestos-related lung and pleural abnormalities in a cohort of 636 asbestos-exposed subjects

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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