Pleural disease is a generic term for a number of conditions that can impact the pleura – the membrane that covers both the outside of the lungs and that lines the chest cavity wall.
- Pleural mesothelioma is a lethal form of pleural disease, but it is only one example. It is caused by the presence of asbestos fibers embedded in the pleural membranes, which eventually cause the development of abnormal cells.
- Pleural Effusion is a relatively common medical condition, estimated to be diagnosed up to one million times annually in the United States. It is the accumulation of excessive fluid in the chest cavity, specifically the area between the pleura, which puts pressure on the lungs causing chest pain and reduced breathing capacity. It can be caused by a thickened or inflamed pleura or by the development of other diseases such as congestive heart failure, mesothelioma, pneumonia, a pulmonary embolism or cirrhosis.
- Pneumothorax is the accumulation of air in the pleural cavity, generally caused by trauma or some sort of respiratory failure that allows leakage of air into the chest.
- Pleural plaques are fibrous, benign tumors that develop on the pleura, often caused by the presence of asbestos. Over time these fibrous growths calcify. While it is possible for people who develop this condition to later develop mesothelioma cancer, in many cases pleural plaques go unnoticed.
- Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura most often brought on by an infection. When the inflamed and thickened membranes rub together as the lungs expand it can be a very painful condition.
Common Symptoms of Pleural Disease
Pleural effusion is by far the most common pleural affliction. For some people this condition at least initially, is asymptomatic. However it is often a symptom of its own, and as it worsens can manifest several additional conditions. A dry, persistent cough may develop along with shortness of breath, caused by the pressure on the lungs. If there is congestive heart failure or a thickening pleura caused by mesothelioma, those conditions may contribute to the breathing difficulty as well.
Sources:
- Pleural Disease, Cleveland Clinic, http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/pulmonary/pleural-disease/
- Pleural Disorders Signs & Symptoms, National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute, http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pleurisy/pleurisy_signs_symptoms.html
