Question

The cobweb-like appearance in the radiograph of the lung of a miner can be diagnosed as

• A. silicosis
• B. asbestosis
• C. talcosis
• D. coal workers' pneumoconiosis

Hint:

Think about which dust disease is caused by long, thin fibres rather than rounded dust particles, since the fibre shape decides the pattern seen on the X-ray.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question tests knowledge of chest X-ray patterns linked to specific dust diseases seen in miners, and asks which disease gives a fine, web like or cobweb pattern on the radiograph.

Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The shape of the mineral dust particle decides how the lung scars. Rounded, blunt edged particles such as silica and coal dust tend to build up as rounded, well defined nodular opacities. Long, thin, fibrous particles such as asbestos fibres get trapped along the connective tissue framework of the lung and instead build up as fine, irregular, linear shadows.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Silicosis (option A) is caused by silica dust, which is more rounded in shape, and shows up as well defined rounded or nodular opacities, mainly in the upper and mid lung zones, not as a cobweb pattern.
Talcosis (option C) can show a mix of nodular and irregular shadows and often pleural plaques, but its hallmark is not the fine cobweb-like network seen here.
Coal workers' pneumoconiosis (option D) is caused by coal dust, which is also fairly rounded, and produces small rounded opacities that can later join up into large masses called progressive massive fibrosis. This is again a nodular pattern, not a cobweb pattern.
Asbestosis (option B) is caused by long, thin asbestos fibres that lodge deep in the smallest airways and the interstitial tissue of the lung. This builds a fine, irregular, net like web of streaky fibrous shadows, mostly in the lower lung zones, which radiologists commonly describe as a cobweb-like or reticular pattern. It can also blur the outline of the heart, sometimes called a "shaggy heart" sign.

Step 4: Final Answer:
The cobweb-like radiograph appearance in a miner's lung points to asbestosis. \[ \boxed{\text{Asbestosis}} \]