Quantifying whole lung iron oxide deposition with dual-energy CT for diagnosis of arc-welders' pneumoconiosis.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Accurately quantify pulmonary iron oxide by dual-energy CT (DECT) and evaluate its diagnostic potential in arc-welders' pneumoconiosis (AWP).

Materials and methods

This prospective, single‑center diagnostic accuracy study (April 2024 to October 2024) included three groups: welders, mimic-imaging, and healthy controls. DECT quantified whole-lung Fe₂O₃ density (mg/cm³) [D_Fe2O3] and total Fe₂O₃ mass (mg) [Total-Fe₂O₃]. Maximal diameter and D_Fe2O3 for the largest nodule and the subjective grading on imaging features were also collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate diagnostic performance. In vitro experiments, ten 30 mL tubes containing Fe

SUBMITTER: Wang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12712031 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature