Pleural thickening is often linked to exposure to asbestos.
Pleural thickening is the thickening and hardening of the pleura,
the protective membrane surrounding the lungs.
Pleural thickening can occur in two forms:
- Diffuse pleural thickening extends over a large area and may
restrict expansion of the lungs
- Pleural Plaques - localised areas of pleural
thickening/calcification which do not usually interfere
with breathing
What causes pleural thickening?
Asbestos fibres settle in the lung tissues and irritate the
pleura causing scarring and hardening. The scarring is
irreversible.
There are a number of other causes of pleural thickening that
are not related to asbestos exposure, including:
- Infections in the lungs such as
tuberculosis
- Inflammation of the pleura
- Injuries such as bone fractures to the
ribs
- Certain medications including those used
to treat cluster headaches, migraines and
Parkinson's disease
- Blood clot in the artery of the lung
(pulmonary embolism): A blood clot in the lung can interrupt
blood supply to parts of the lung causing the tissue to die
(necrosis). Pleural thickening can occur as part of the
healing process.
- Radiation can effect and thicken the
pleura of a patient with lung cancer
- Tumours: both benign and malignant tumours may
invade the pleura and this gives the appearance of pleural
thickening. The pleura is a very thin membrane and is usually not
visible on x-rays of the chest. Anything that increases the tissue
thickness of the pleura will appear on x-rays as this type of
condition. This can occur when there is fibrosis of the pleura as
in asbestos related pleural thickening or when tumour tissue
invades the pleura. Even simple inflammation of the tissue cells
may cause infiltration of the pleura and result in the thickening
of the membrane
For further information or if you have been exposed to asbestos
please contact a member of our mesothelioma
and asbestos claims team by calling freephone 0800 358
3848,
email personalinjury@ffw.com or
complete our short enquiry form.