Pleural plaques from asbestos exposure

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 Pleural plaques from asbestos exposure

Placas pleurales por exposición al amianto
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Introduction

Pleural plaques are the most common radiologic sign of asbestos exposure, often preceded by a decades-long latency period. This blog post delves into the cause, etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, imaging features, treatment, and prognosis, backed by world-class expertise and optimized for Google search ranking with targeted keywords such as "pleural plaques CT," "asbestos exposure signs," and "calcified pleural plaques."

Etiology & Cause of Pleural Plaques

Asbestos fibers—particularly long, thin amphiboles like crocidolite and tremolite—are inhaled and migrate via lymphatics to the pleural surfaces radiopaedia.org+10en.wikipedia.org+10researchgate.net+10occup-med.biomedcentral.com. There, a chronic inflammatory reaction leads to hyaline fibrous thickening of the parietal pleura. The typical latency for plaque formation is 20–40 years post-exposure en.wikipedia.org+1occup-med.biomedcentral.com+1.

Epidemiology

Pathophysiology

Clinical Presentation

Imaging Features

CT Imaging

Chest X‑ray

Figures & Captions from CT Sequence:

Figure 1: Multi-slice CT showing calcified parietal pleural plaques along bilateral diaphragms and chest walls.

Figure 2: Holly‑leaf morphology—calcified plaque with classic serrated ("rolled-edge") outline.


Figure 3: Axial CT view with multiple bilateral calcified plaques (yellow arrows) learningradiology.com+1en.wikipedia.org+1researchgate.net.

Differential: Diffuse Pleural Thickening vs. Plaques

  • Pleural plaques are localized, sharply defined fibrotic foci of parietal pleura.

  • Diffuse pleural thickening (DPT) involves widespread fibrosis, adhesion of pleural layers, costophrenic angle obliteration, and reduced lung volumes occup-med.biomedcentral.com.

Treatment & Prognosis

Quiz

  1. Which pleural location is most commonly affected by asbestos-related plaques on CT?

    • A) Apices

    • B) Posterolateral chest walls, diaphragms, fissures

    • C) Perihilar regions

    • D) Lung bases only

  2. The “holly-leaf” sign on imaging is most suggestive of:

    • A) Diffuse pleural thickening

    • B) Mesothelioma

    • C) Calcified pleural plaques

    • D) Asbestosis

  3. True or False: Pleural plaques alone are premalignant lesions.

  4. What is the primary pathophysiologic mechanism for asbestos fibers reaching the parietal pleura?

    • A) Direct spread through visceral pleura

    • B) Lymphatic transport from lung parenchyma

    • C) Hematogenous spread

    • D) Accidental ingestion

Answer and Explanation

1. Answer: B
Explanation: The plaques characteristically localize to posterolateral chest walls, diaphragm, and fissures en.wikipedia.org+1learningradiology.com+1.

2. Answer: C
Explanation: Irregular, serrated calcification margins of plaques produce the holly‑leaf appearance en.wikipedia.orglearningradiology.com+1researchgate.net+1occup-med.biomedcentral.com.

3. Answer: False
Explanation: They are benign, though associated with increased malignancy risk; they do not transform themselves

4. Answer: B
Explanation: Fibers primarily migrate via lymphatic channels to parietal pleura occup-med.biomedcentral.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2occup-med.biomedcentral.com.

References

  1. S. E. Miles et al., “Clinical consequences of asbestos-related diffuse pleural thickening: A review,” J. Occup. Med. Toxicol., vol. 3, no. 20, Sep. 2008.

  2. D. W. Cugell, “Asbestos and the pleura,” Chest, 2004.

  3. A. Tamura et al., “Potential asbestos exposure among lung cancer patients in Japan,” Lung Cancer, vol. 125, Mar. 2018.

  4. S. H. Constantopoulos et al., “Metsovo lung… environmental exposure … pleural calcifications,” Environ. Res., vol. 38, no. 2, 1985.

  5. “Asbestos-related diseases,” Wikipedia, 2025. [Online].

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