Recognizing the pleura in asbestos-related pleuropulmonary disease: Known and new manifestations of pleural fibrosis. in American journal of industrial medicine / Am J Ind Med. 2024 Jan;67(1):73-80. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23553. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

2024

Tipo pubblicazione

Journal Article;

Autori/Collaboratori (1)

Miller A
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.

Abstract

Pleural thickening (PT) is a major consequence of exposure to all fiber types of asbestos. In recent decades, it is more prevalent than parenchymal asbestosis. Its manifestations occupy a full clinical and radiographic spectrum. Six major manifestations can be identified: (a) acute pleuritis generally with effusion; (b) diffuse PT or fibrous pleuritis; (c) rounded atelectasis; (d) circumscribed PT or plaques; (e) chronic pleuritic pain; and (f) mesothelioma. Review of the experience of workers and community members in Libby, MT to asbestiform fibers in vermiculite has confirmed the appearance of these previously known benign and malignant asbestos-related diseases as well as a unique pleuropulmonary disease characterized as lamellar PT and associated with progressive decline in pulmonary function and pleuritic pain. Despite previous literature asserting that PT represents a marker for asbestos exposure without significant effect on pulmonary function and physiology, the experience of Libby amphibole (LA) disease, along with other studies, indicates that PT plays a role in declining vital capacity in those with prolonged or unusual exposures such as those arising from LA.

PMID : 38030592

DOI : 10.1002/ajim.23553

Keywords

Humans; Asbestos/toxicity; Asbestos, Amphibole/toxicity; Asbestosis/diagnostic imaging/pathology; Fibrosis; Pain; Pleura/diagnostic imaging/pathology; Pleural Diseases/diagnostic imaging/etiology; Pleurisy/pathology;