Pleural thickening develops when scar tissue thickens the delicate membrane lining the lungs (the pleura). Pleural thickening can develop following asbestos exposure or other conditions, such as infection. It may be a symptom of a more severe diagnosis such as malignant pleural .
Depending on the cause, pleural thickening may form in different parts of the pleura. To distinguish between types, doctors will use imaging scans to examine the patient’s lungs and pleura:
Pleural thickening is not always serious. The condition can be serious as it becomes more advanced and limits lung function. Pleural thickening is also often an indicator of a serious underlying condition. For instance, pleural thickening may be a sign of malignant cancer.
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In some cases, pleural thickening can be benign. Benign pleural thickening is not caused by cancer and will typically not impede the normal functioning of the lungs. However, benign pleural thickening can impede a patient’s lung function if the thickening becomes too advanced.
Pleural thickening in patients develops as a result of prolonged asbestos exposure. Individuals may ingest or inhale asbestos fibers, which may become trapped in the pleura. There, the fibers irritate the lung lining, causing chronic inflammation.
Over time, this inflammation can lead to severe scarring of the lungs. The accumulating scar tissue can become thick enough to impair the patient’s lungs from properly expanding when trying to inhale.
Diffuse Pleural Thickening
Pleural thickening does not only impact patients. It can be caused by various conditions, including infection and injury. Individuals with asbestos-related diseases besides , such as asbestosis and asbestos lung cancer, may also experience pleural thickening.
Pleural thickening can be a progressive disease, meaning the symptoms often become more severe over time. In early stages, pleural thickening is often asymptomatic. As such, the condition can be difficult to detect.
Individuals experiencing any of these symptoms should contact a doctor. Though pleural thickening alone may not be serious, a doctor can conduct a thorough examination for an underlying cause.
Apical Pleural Cap
Pleural thickening can be caused by infection, asbestos exposure, injury and more. Exposure to lung irritants and infectious diseases are some of the common causes of pleural thickening.
The cause can dictate the location, severity and progression of the pleural thickening. For example, pleural thickening caused by asbestos exposure typically develops in the visceral pleura and may be serious. Different causes may also impact which symptoms a patient experiences.
Pleural thickening is more common among people who smoke or used to smoke than nonsmokers. Research indicates smoking increases the risk of developing diffuse pleural thickening. Smoking limits lung function, but may not be the root cause of pleural thickening.
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Pleural thickening is often diagnosed with imaging scans, such as computed tomography (CT) scans. A physical examination may also help diagnose the condition. Often, pleural thickening is diagnosed alongside its cause.
Pleural thickening may also develop alongside other conditions, such as pleural plaques and pleural effusion. Though these conditions may develop together, they are distinct in how they form and present symptoms.
Many cases of pleural thickening do not require treatment, as they are not life-threatening. However, the condition may advance, and patient symptoms may become uncomfortable. In these cases, doctors may recommend pulmonary rehabilitation or cessation of smoking, if applicable.
What Is Pleural Thickening?
Pulmonary rehabilitation may be able to improve symptoms and quality of life for patients. A team of specialists will develop a customized plan based on an individual’s needs. Some common recommendations for patients to remedy pleural thickening include:
Doctors may administer pleural thickening treatment in conjunction with treatment for the underlying cause. For patients, medical professionals will often recommend regular respiratory function tests. These tests can determine how well the lungs are working and monitor disease progression.
The condition can be benign, which does not require treatment. The condition can also be a symptom of a larger diagnosis, such as or tuberculosis.
Asbestos Related Diseases
Pleural thickening does not have a cure. The effects of pleural thickening cannot be reversed. However, the condition may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that do not require treatment.
If the disease progresses and symptoms worsen, doctors may recommend various treatment options. For example, doctors may suggest pulmonary rehabilitation to treat symptoms such as breathlessness.
It is important for patients to remember pleural thickening may be a symptom of another, more serious disease. Depending on the diagnosis, treatment recommendations and the patient’s prognosis will vary.
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Linda Molinari has more than 15 years of experience as a writer and advocate for patients and a ban on asbestos.
Annette Charlevois is the Patient Support Coordinator for . For over 20 years she has helped thousands of patients and their families navigate their cancer journey. Full BioPleural thickening is a condition that causes calcification of the membrane lining the lungs (pleura). It can be a sign of exposure. This thickening is the result of fibrosis or scarring on the pleura surrounding the lungs. As the scarring becomes more rigid, it makes it difficult for the lungs to expand when breathing. This leads to common pleural thickening symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain.
May not always cause pleural thickening. But it is an -related disease. Most cases of mesothelioma also have pleural thickening. This makes diagnosing the two conditions difficult.
Pleural Thickening: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment
Pleural thickening can be divided into two main categories: Focal and diffuse. Within these groups, specific cases can either be benign or malignant.
Pleural thickening can develop in different parts of the lung, on one side or both. Apical pleural thickening refers to thickening in the top portion of the lung. Unilateral pleural thickening means the condition affects either the left or right lung. Bilateral affects both lungs. Your doctor may use these terms when referring to your specific case.
Exposure is one of the primary causes of pleural thickening. dust contains microscopic mineral fibers that become lodged in the pleura when inhaled. This causes inflammation, leading to fibrous scar tissue buildup and, eventually, pleural thickening. But any disease that causes acute inflammation of the pleura can lead to pleural thickening.
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It is important to discuss your health history with your doctor so they are aware of your risk for pleural thickening. exposure is the most common cause. But any of these factors can lead to inflammation and eventual pleural thickening.
The most common pleural thickening symptom is shortness of breath. In one study, almost 43% of participants reported this symptom, along with cough, chest pain and fever.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if you have had significant exposure, it is important to talk to your doctor. Early detection and diagnosis are the best ways to ensure you receive proper treatment, which can help prevent the condition from progressing further.
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The most common way to diagnose the condition is with imaging studies, such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans. If you are unsatisfied with your screening results, you can always get a second opinion on the diagnosis.
To help ensure an accurate diagnosis, it is vital to share your history of possible exposure with your doctor. One review of multiple studies found that pleural thickening occurs in 5% to 13.5% of -exposed workers. The condition may develop within one year of exposure, or it may arise several years later.
These screening tests are also used to eliminate the possibility of other diagnoses, such as pleural plaques. These should not be confused with pleural thickening. But exposure causes both conditions.
Signs And Findingsof Atelectasis
Pleural thickening is usually first spotted through a chest X-ray. In fact, it is commonly found in routine chest X-rays along the edges of the lung. This is because the X-ray beam passes through the edges tangentially (not straight through) so it is easier to visualize.
Fat along the pleura (extrapleural fat) may also look like pleural thickening, which may lead to a misdiagnosis. With this, X-ray images are not the most accurate. To confirm a pleural thickening diagnosis, other imaging techniques may be used.
Computed tomography (CT) scans are the primary imaging method for diagnosing pleural thickening, pleural plaques and is. This method is highly sensitive because it uses a contrast agent injected into the veins to help radiologists visualize the pleura. CT scans also take multiple high-resolution images at several angles (planes), providing more detail than chest X-ray images.
Apical Pleural Calcification
CT scans measure pleural thickening less than 1 centimeter (cm), which can help diagnose early cases. It is also used to diagnose malignant pleural mesothelioma. However, the contrast agent may not be used in patients with poor kidney function or those who are allergic.
Doctors can use positron emission tomography (PET) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans to distinguish between pleural thickening and pleural mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma is cancer affecting the pleura and is often associated with exposure.
PET scans use radiolabeled glucose molecules to look at tissues that are metabolically active. Tumors are generally active and they take up the glucose molecules, which appear as bright spots on the PET scan. MRIs use a gadolinium contrast agent to help determine whether a patient has pleural thickening or pleural mesothelioma. If a patient cannot have the contrast agent used in CT scans, an MRI is a useful option for diagnosis.
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In most cases, pleural
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