lung and airway disorders
Pleural Fibrosis and Calcification
Introduction
Pleural fibrosis and calcification are thickening and stiffening of the pleura (the thin, transparent, two-layered membrane that covers the lungs) that occurs as a result of pleural inflammation or exposure to asbestos. Inflammation or asbestos exposure can cause the pleura to thicken and become stiff. People may not have symptoms,or, if a large area of the pleura is affected, they may have difficulty breathing. Diagnosis is with chest x-rays and sometimes computed tomography. Sometimes surgery is needed to remove the pleura. (See also Overview of Pleural and Mediastinal Disorders .) Usually, the pleura is very thin and flexible, but sometimes it becomes thick (develops fibrosis) as a result of Inflammation Asbestos exposure (called Asbestos-Related Pleural Disease ) Sometimes only a small area of the pleura is affected. Other times large areas of the pleura are affected. The fibrotic pleura can also develop calcification (accumulation of calcium within the tissue). 