Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are deposits of hyalinized collagen fibers in the parietal pleura. They are indicative of asbestos exposure and typically become visible twenty or more years after the inhalation of asbestos fibers, although latency periods of less than 10 years have been observed [1-3].
Pleural plaques are presumed to be the result of pleural inflammation caused by asbestos fibers that are transported to the pleural surface along lymphatic channels and/or direct penetration [4,5]. The former may explain why pleural plaques tend to be located near the stomata where asbestos fibers are resorbed by lymphatic flow (ie, Kampmeier's foci) [6]. (See "Asbestos-related pleuropulmonary disease".)
Pleural plaques preferentially involve the parietal pleura adjacent to ribs, particularly the sixth through ninth ribs. They are also common along the diaphragmatic pleura. Pleural plaques are less extensive in the intercostal spaces, only rarely occur in the visceral pleura, and are conspicuously absent in the region of the costophrenic sulci and the lung apices (image 1 and image 2).
Calcifications within pleural plaques are identified by chest radiography in 20 percent of patients (image 3 and image 2), by computed tomography (CT) in 50 percent (image 4A-B and image 5), and by morphological examination of autopsy and biopsy specimens in 80 percent [2,6-8].
URL: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/imaging-of-pleural-plaques-thickening-and-tumors
Pleural plaques are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. Furthermore, they cannot become cancerous over time. In nearly every case, there are no symptoms, but some patients describe pain or an uncomfortable grating sensation as they breathe.
They can develop on both layers of the pleura, a thin membrane that surrounds the lungs and aids in breathing. They most commonly develop on the parietal pleura, which lines the inside of the rib cage, but can also affect the visceral pleura, which lines the lungs.
Additionally, pleural plaques can grow on the diaphragm, the primary muscle used for respiration. The plaques can calcify over time, but they do not usually cause long-term health problems.
URL: https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/pleural-plaques/
Pleural plaques are presumed to be the result of pleural inflammation caused by asbestos fibers that are transported to the pleural surface along lymphatic channels and/or direct penetration [4,5]. The former may explain why pleural plaques tend to be located near the stomata where asbestos fibers are resorbed by lymphatic flow (ie, Kampmeier's foci) [6]. (See "Asbestos-related pleuropulmonary disease".)
Pleural plaques preferentially involve the parietal pleura adjacent to ribs, particularly the sixth through ninth ribs. They are also common along the diaphragmatic pleura. Pleural plaques are less extensive in the intercostal spaces, only rarely occur in the visceral pleura, and are conspicuously absent in the region of the costophrenic sulci and the lung apices (image 1 and image 2).
Calcifications within pleural plaques are identified by chest radiography in 20 percent of patients (image 3 and image 2), by computed tomography (CT) in 50 percent (image 4A-B and image 5), and by morphological examination of autopsy and biopsy specimens in 80 percent [2,6-8].
URL: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/imaging-of-pleural-plaques-thickening-and-tumors
Pleural plaques are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. Furthermore, they cannot become cancerous over time. In nearly every case, there are no symptoms, but some patients describe pain or an uncomfortable grating sensation as they breathe.
They can develop on both layers of the pleura, a thin membrane that surrounds the lungs and aids in breathing. They most commonly develop on the parietal pleura, which lines the inside of the rib cage, but can also affect the visceral pleura, which lines the lungs.
Additionally, pleural plaques can grow on the diaphragm, the primary muscle used for respiration. The plaques can calcify over time, but they do not usually cause long-term health problems.
URL: https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/pleural-plaques/
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