Calcified pleural plaques

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Cough.

Patient Data

Age: 90 years
Gender: Male

Chest radiographs

x-ray

Multiple calcified pleural plates demonstrated bilaterally. No convincing evidence of pulmonary consolidations or pleural effusions. Cardiomediastinal contours are unremarkable. No pneumothorax or subphrenic free gas.

Case Discussion

The lesions are typical for pleural calcification, and better characterized when assessed on the lateral views over the diaphragm. 

Only with the frontal view the differentials may be broad and include infection or metastatic disease. Correlation with previous imaging has revealed stability of the findings for more than 10 years. 

Pleural plaques, although nonspecific, correspond to the most frequent radiographic manifestation of asbestos exposure. 

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