[Compensation for occupational diseases after tomodensitometry screening for benign pleuro-pulmonary disease in a multiregional post-occupational medical surveillance program of asbestos-exposed retired workers].

Background: Underreporting of occupational diseases related to asbestos exposure remains a matter of concern in France. The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of claims for compensation for asbestos-related non-malignant pulmonary or pleural occupational disease in subjects having undergone a chest CT-scan in a multiregional screening programme.

Methods: Among the 5444 voluntary retired asbestos-exposed subjects recruited in four regions between 2003 and 2005 who had undergone a chest CT-scan, the number of claims for compensation for an asbestos-related pulmonary or pleural benign disease was analysed in 2006 and 2010.

Do asbestos-related pleural plaques on HRCT scans cause restrictive impairment in the absence of pulmonary fibrosis?

Background: It is uncertain whether isolated pleural plaques cause functional impairment.

Objective: To analyse the relationship between isolated pleural plaques confirmed by CT scanning and lung function in subjects with occupational exposure to asbestos.

Methods: The study population consisted of 2743 subjects presenting with no parenchymal interstitial abnormalities on the high-resolution CT (HRCT) scan.

Assessment of nasal fibroscopy to explore olfactory cleft.

Objective: To assess whether flexible nasoendoscopy can be used to visualize all parts of the olfactory cleft (OC) without morbidity.

Study Design: Single-center, prospective, observational study.

Setting: French tertiary referral center.

Does asbestos exposure cause airway obstruction, in the absence of confirmed asbestosis?

Rationale: Whether occupational exposure to asbestos causes airway obstruction remains controversial.

Objectives: This study evaluated lung function in relation to cumulative exposure to asbestos in a large cohort of retired or unemployed workers exposed to asbestos.

Methods: The study population consisted of 3,660 volunteer subjects.

[Carcinogenesis of the ethmoidal adenocarcinoma due to wood dust].

Objectives: To recognize the mechanisms and the different oncogenic pathways of ethmoid adenocarcinoma (EADC) in woodworkers.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature and evaluation according to scientific evidences.

Results: Wood dust less than 10 microm settles on the external aspects of the ethmoid sinus that is the middle turbinate, the middle meatus and the olfactory cleft.