Pleural Disorders
Pleural disorders are another potential outcome following exposure to asbestos. If inhaled, asbestos fibres can become stuck inside the body and impact the pleura, which is the slim membrane that lines the lungs as well as the chest cavity.
There are several different types of pleural disorder that are linked to asbestos exposure, namely:
- pleural thickening
- pleural plaques
- pleural effusion
And these are all benign conditions.
When pleural scarring is widely distributed and also found along the chest wall, then the condition is known as pleural thickening. However if the scarring is more defined and focused in a particular spot, then pleural plaques are referred to. Pleural effusion describes a condition where there is a build up of excess fluid in the area encompassing the lungs.
Symptoms
Breathlessness, chest pain and coughing can sometimes indicate pleural thickening but it is worth noting that pleural plaques and pleural effusion conditions can often be present without the experience of any obvious signs.
Similar symptoms can also be seen in other asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. In fact the scarring seen in some cases of pleural disorder happens in a comparable way to that of asbestosis but the conditions are distinct in terms of the location where they occur: pleural disorders arise in the lining of the lungs, whereas asbestosis takes place inside the lung.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnose the condition correctly, the doctor will seek to ascertain the medical history of the patient, and will be especially interested in determining the extent of any asbestos exposure in the past. Physical examinations, x-rays, biopsies, various scans and tests may all be carried out by the doctor with the aim of confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment
There are no cures for pleural disorders and in fact in most cases pleural disease tends to progressively worsen even after asbestos exposure has been stopped.
Treatment for pleural plaques and pleural thickening is only necessary if lung function is affected and in this instance the doctor’s objective will be to relieve pressure on the lungs. In the case of pleural thickening, a pleurectomy (removal of the thick rind) can be performed in order to help the lungs expand more easily.
Treatment for pleural effusion revolves around slowing the build up of fluid and symptoms can be relieved by draining the fluid. There is also a possibility of an pleurodesis operation, which acts to re-seal the pleura and prevent fluid build up occurring again.
According to the HSE, there were 375 new cases of disablement due to pleural thickening during 2006. However these figures are likely to be vastly underestimated due to the often symptomless circumstances.