What is a B reading on a chest xray?

The B-reading is a special reading of a standard chest x-ray film performed by a physician certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The reading looks for changes on the chest x-ray that may indicate exposure and disease caused by agents such as asbestos or silica.

What are B reads?

B Reads examine x-rays of the lungs to look for signs of pneumoconiosis, a lung disease commonly called “Black Lung”. What is pneumoconiosis? Pneumoconiosis is a disease which settles in the lungs caused by the inhalation of dust and is most often associated with occupational lung disease.

What is a type of pneumoconiosis?

The primary pneumoconioses are: Abestosis – caused by inhaling asbestos fibers. Silicosis – caused by inhaling silica dust. Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (commonly referred to as CWP or black lung) – caused by inhaling coal mine dust.

What are radiology B reads?

The B Reader Program aims to ensure competency in radiographic reading by evaluating the ability of readers to classify a test set of radiographs, thereby creating and maintaining a pool of qualified readers having the skills and ability to provide accurate and precise ILO classifications.

How do you become AB reader?

In order to become a B Reader, a licensed physician must successfully pass the B Reader Certification Examination. In order to maintain certification, B Readers must be recertified by passing periodic re-examinations every 4 years.

How do you know if you have pneumoconiosis?

Common symptoms include:

  1. cough that may produce green, yellow, or even bloody phlegm.
  2. fast breathing and shortness of breath.
  3. chest pain that usually worsens when taking a deep breath.
  4. fast heartbeat.
  5. fever, sweating, and chills.
  6. fatigue.
  7. confusion or delirium, especially in older adults.
  8. loss of appetite.

Is pneumoconiosis the same as pneumonia?

Pneumonia is one of the most common disease entities that requires hospitalization and eventually leads to death among pneumoconiosis patients and others suffering from chronic respiratory diseases [9].

What happens to the lungs with pneumoconiosis?

For either simple or complicated pneumoconiosis, the damage causes the loss of blood vessels and air sacs in your lungs. The tissues that surround your air sacs and air passages become thick and stiff from scarring. Breathing becomes increasingly difficult. This condition is called interstitial lung disease.