Inhalational Pulmonary Talcosis

Abstract

We describe the high-resolution CT findings in 3 patients with pulmonary talcosis acquired by the inhalation of talc. The predominant abnormalities consisted of small centrilobular and subpleural nodules and conglomerated masses containing focal areas of high attenuation consistent with talc deposition. All patients also had focal ground glass opacities. The abnormalities were diffuse but were most severe in the upper and middle lung zones with relative sparing of the lung bases.