Beryllium disease: assessment with CT.

PURPOSE: To describe the thin-section computed tomographic (CT) features of beryllium disease and compare the sensitivities of thin-section CT and chest radiography.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 28 patients with biopsy-proved beryllium disease and 12 healthy control subjects, radiographs were scored with an international classification system. Thin-section CT scans were scored for 11 parenchymal, airway, pleural, and mediastinal findings.

RESULTS: Thin-section CT revealed at least one abnormality in 25 patients (89%); chest radiography, in 15 patients (54%). After the finding of bronchial wall thickening attributable to tobacco smoking was excluded, CT scans in 21 (75%) of 28 patients were abnormal because of beryllium disease. The most common CT abnormalities were parenchymal nodules (n = 16) and septal lines (n = 14). With use of CT, abnormalities were detected in 10 (77%) of 13 patients with normal radiographs.

CONCLUSION: Thin-section CT was more sensitive than chest radiography in detection of beryllium disease, but the diagnosis was missed in up to 25% of cases with histologic proof.