Coalworker's Pneumoconiosis - Diagnosis

Diagnosis

There are three basic criteria for the diagnosis of CWP:

1. Chest radiography consistent with CWP
2. An exposure history to coal dust (typically underground coal mining) of sufficient amount and latency
3. Exclusion of alternative diagnoses (mimics of CWP)

Symptoms and pulmonary function testing relate to the degree of respiratory impairment, but are not part of the diagnostic criteria. As noted above, the chest X-ray appearance for CWP can be virtually indistinguishable from silicosis. Chest CT, particularly high-resolution scanning (HRCT), are more sensitive than plain X-ray for detecting the small round opacities.