“ This refers to a spectrum of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure. It may be a benign pleural disease, usually occurring >20 y...
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This refers to a spectrum of lung disease resulting from asbestos exposure. It may be a benign pleural disease, usually occurring >20 years after exposure. More common in males (occupational).
PLAIN FILM
• Pleural effusion first.
• Then, often (80%) pleural plaques affecting both parietal pleura (posterolateral/lateral/costophrenic angles/mediastinal).
• Diaphragmatic plaques are pathognomonic, the apices are spared.
• Plaques are not always calcified.
CT
• Look for areas of round atelectasis (‘pseudotumour’ appearance) next to a pleural plaque. The bronchovascular bundle typically converges into the lesion (‘comet tail’ sign).
Rounded atelectasis. CT images demonstrating calcified pleural plaques with rounded atelectasis (pseudotumour; red arrow) overlying a calcified pleural plaque (white arrow). The bronchovascular bundles form the comet tail sign (red arrow).
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