Open AccessRadiological spectrum of anthracofibrosis: A series of 40 patients with computed tomography, bronchoscopy, and biopsy
Author(s) -
Anandamoyee Dhar,
K. K. Sikund,
Ajal Lall,
Bharat B. Aggarwal
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
indian journal of radiology and imaging - new series/indian journal of radiology and imaging/indian journal of radiology and imaging
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0971-3026
pISSN - 0970-2016
DOI - 10.4103/ijri.ijri_403_16
Subject(s) - medicine , radiology , bronchoscopy , biopsy , mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Anthracofibrosis is a lesser known clinical entity. Patients present with chronic symptoms of cough and breathlessness with a history of biofuel/wood fire smoke exposure. There are distinct computed tomography (CT) imaging features of anthracofibrosis that can differentiate it from more common conditions such as tuberculosis (TB) and bronchogenic carcinoma. Findings include multifocal noncontiguous stenosis of bronchial tree, calcified enlarged mediastinal or hilar nodes, and secondary lung parenchymal changes. However, in TB, bronchostenosis usually involves a single lobar bronchus in a contiguous manner with trachea and/or major bronchi also being affected. In this study, we highlight the imaging characteristics of anthracofibrosis.