Pleural Plaques |
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Pleural plaques are the most common — but often the only — condition associated with asbestos exposure. Like other asbestos-related conditions, pleural plaques develop many years after asbestos exposure. They may occur after low, intermittent exposure (much like malignant mesothelioma) — whereas asbestosis is more likely to develop after long-term, continuous, high-level exposure.
Pleural plaques are smooth, white, raised irregular areas of fibrous collagen tissue that develop on the pleura (usually the parietal pleura) and often become calcified. They vary in size from small to large, and are usually found by chance on a chest x-ray (the calcium making them more readily seen).
Although in themselves pleural plaques are not thought to cause symptoms, they may slightly affect some lung function tests. Pleural plaques are not considered pre-malignant, but they are an indication of exposure to asbestos (and thus indicate an increased risk of its associated diseases). They do not require treatment, but their presence should prompt regular medical check-ups.
Pleural plaques often occur as the only indication of asbestos-exposure. The converse is not true however: most asbestosis sufferers also have pleural plaques.
