11th January 2024

A 68-year-old gentleman presents to the emergency department with acute onset crushing central chest pain, and he is treated by the admitting team for an acute myocardial infarction.

A 68-year-old gentleman presents to the emergency department with acute onset crushing central chest pain, and he is treated by the admitting team for an acute myocardial infarction. As part of his work-up, he undergoes an x-ray (see report below). He denies any shortness of breath, cough, weight loss or chest pain episodes prior to this admission. He is an ex-smoker and worked in the steel industry for 20 years during his career. His only other past medical history is of hypertension and COPD, for which he is on Trimbow 2 puffs BD and salbutamol PRN. 

Investigations: 

CXR report: “Hyperinflated chest. Bilateral calcified lesions of the pleura with incomplete border sign. No associated pleural thickening.”

Given the likely diagnosis visualised on x-ray, how many years ago is this gentleman likely to have been exposed to the precipitating agent?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.