Pleural Plaques
Pleural plaques are scars (fibrosis) made up of collagen fiber. These appear on people who are exposed to asbestos. These are the most widespread manifestation of asbestos. These are usually located in the parietal pleura (diaphragm). In a few cases the plaques are found close to the ribcage.
Occurrence
People with asbestos caused plaques manifest about 20 years following the exposure. Many of the current cases result from exposure dating back to the 1970s. Back then, miners, construction workers, and shippers were heavily exposed to asbestos. Today, stricter laws have been implemented to protect workers handling asbestos.
Cause
Unlike the thickening of the pleural, the plaques rarely appear without any exposure to asbestos. For this reason, a CT scan showing plaques almost always indicates the person was exposed. Statistics show that half of all the people exposed to asbestos develop this condition.
The condition takes place because the asbestos fibers can undermine the natural filtration system of the lungs. By sticking themselves on the tissues, scarring can and does take place.
Pleural Plaques Diagnosis
This condition does not exhibit any symptoms unlike the other diseases that result from it. Given this fact, the plaque can only be detected by CT scan or other medical examinations. Using a CT scan, it will manifest as a pleural thickening. Viewed from a microscope, the plaque looks like basket weaves.
The plaques can be detected using the x-ray. But for this to be detected, the plaque must attain a particular density. The sensitivity varies, from as low as 7% to as high as 40%.
As stated earlier, not everyone exposed to asbestos get plaques. Why this happens is still unknown. The prevailing theory is that some people have a stronger immune system than others.
Relation to Mesothelioma and Asbestosis
These plaques are not cancerous and do not become malignant. Nor are they an indicator of cancer. But many individuals with this condition end up developing mesothelioma, asbestosis and other fatal asbestos related diseases.
Plaques can be acquired even if exposure is limited. Asbestosis, on the other hand, develops after prolonged exposure. Nevertheless, it is a fact that asbestosis and plaques are frequently found in patients at the same time.
It has been shown that people with these plaques become more susceptible to mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is often a fatal condition. The treatments available are used for reducing the pain.
There are three types: peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. Pleural mesothelioma afflicts the lung lining. Pericardial mesothelioma is a disease of the heart lining and the peritoneal mesotheliom affects the abdominal lining.
Compensation
People who are afflicted by these plaques and other asbestos related diseases can file for compensation claims. There are laws and regulations concerning this matter. Before filing for a claim, the afflicted person should seek the advice of a lawyer first.
Because pleural plaques do not exhibit any symptoms, one cannot know they are present unless one undergoes an examination. For this reason, people with a history of asbestos exposure should be examined by a doctor.
Related topics:
Asbestos Lung Disease There are many types of asbestos lung diseases, including asbestosis and lung cancer. Other complications can also arise that will affect the lungs....