A 50-year-old coal miner with a 20-year history of dust exposure presents with progressive dyspnoea. Chest X-ray shows bilateral large opacities greater than 1 cm in diameter in the upper zones. This radiological finding is classified as which grade of pneumoconiosis according to the ILO classification?
- A Large opacities Category A ✓
- B Small opacities profusion category 3
- C Large opacities Category B
- D Large opacities Category C
Correct answer: A. Large opacities Category A
Explanation
Under the ILO International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses, large opacities are classified as: Category B (greatest dimension >1 cm but <5 cm, or multiple opacities none exceeding 5 cm with combined area not exceeding the right upper zone), Category A (combined area exceeding right upper zone but not exceeding right lung area), and Category C (exceeding right lung area). B single opacity >1 cm qualifies as Category B.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.