Pleural plaques

Pleural plaques are areas of fibrous thickening on the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura.

These plaques are typically caused by exposure to asbestos, a group of minerals made of microscopic fibers that were once widely used in construction.

Asbestos exposure can lead to inhalation of the fibers, which then become embedded in the lung tissue and pleura, causing inflammation and scarring over time.

Pleural plaques are generally considered benign, meaning they are not cancerous and typically do not progress to more severe forms of asbestos-related diseases.

However, they are important indicators of asbestos exposure and may coexist with more serious conditions such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

The presence of pleural plaques can sometimes cause chest pain or discomfort, though many individuals remain asymptomatic.

Detection of pleural plaques often occurs incidentally during imaging studies such as chest X-rays or CT scans performed for other reasons.

These plaques appear as calcified or non-calcified dense areas on the pleura.

While they do not usually impact lung function directly, their presence necessitates monitoring for potential development of other asbestos-related conditions.