Pleural Thickening Vs Normal, Investigating Pleural Thickening The Bmj

However as pleural thickening worsens due to.

Kelly sweeney attorney. Pleural fibrosis has a number of causes and is the outcome of many pleural diseases and a potential complication of every inflammatory condition that affects the lungs. Thickening of the pleural membranes is not a condition which is treatable. Pleural thickening is also often an indicator of a serious underlying condition.

This process happens as a result of intense inflammation caused by insult or injury to the lungs. Pleural thickening refers to larger areas of scarring and calcification of the pleura and can often become widespread known as diffuse pleural thickening dpt which can cause breathing and respiratory problems. Pleural thickening is a descriptive term given to describe any form of thickening involving either the parietal or visceral pleura.

It can occur with both benign and malignant pleural disease. Pleural fibrosis is the development of excess amounts of connective tissue in the lungs. Because the thickening is a symptom of a disease such as asbestosis treatment is more focused on the underlying cause of the thickening.

For instance pleural thickening may be a sign of malignant mesothelioma cancer. Pleural plaques are areas of localised scarring or calcification found on the pleura the lining of the lungs and rib cage. Further comparisons of sex bmi and pleural thickening revealed that underweight individuals bmi 185 had the highest percentage of pleural thickening which was approximately 4 in both males and females additional file 1.

Benign pleural thickening caused by fibrosis is the second most common pleural abnormality the most common one being effusion. The pleura show a variety of patterns of fibrosis. According to etiology it may be classified as.

In its early stages dpt has little to no symptoms. In some cases pleural thickening can be benign. Thickening can be echogenic or echo poor.

Males and females with pleural thickening were taller weighed less and had lower bmi than those without pleural thickening p 001 for each comparison. Pleural thickening can generally only be seen once 1cm in depth. Pleural thickening also known as diffuse pleural thickening dpt occurs when the lining of the lung or the pleura becomes scarred and thickens.

Because catching mesothelioma in an early stage can lead to a wider range of treatment options patients with asbestos related pleural thickening should seek regular cancer screening. The presence of pleural thickening is not enough to confirm a pleural mesothelioma diagnosis but it can be a sign of serious and significant asbestos exposure.