[Pleural calcifications].

Abstract

Pleural fibro-hyaline calcification and plaques were noted in about 1% of chest Xrays carried out as a routine in adults. The etiological diagnosis is often difficult taking into consideration the considerable delay between the discovery of the lesion of the disease responsible. These abnormalities follow inflammatory pleural effusion affecting the visceral layer of the pleura. The autors recall certain possible complications, such as, functional disturbance, secondary infection, fistula formation and malignant change. The calcified plaques of the parietal pleura represent an excellent sign of exposure to asbestos in a population. Their characteristics, significance and mechanisms are discussed.