Asbestos bodies in lungs at necropsy

Abstract

This study was made in Glasgow, Scotland, near an industrial area where ship builiding is an important industry. Asbestos bodies were found in 23% of 100 consecutive hospital necropsies, bodies were present in 37% of the 62 males, none were found in 38 females. These findings are compared with results of other similar surveys. In 85.4% of cases showing asbestos bodies, hyaline pleural plaques were found. There was one case of asbestosis and 3 of bronchial carcinoma in the cases showing asbestos bodies.