112 - Pleural Fibrosis and Unexpandable Lung

Abstract

Pleural inflammation can be caused by a wide range of conditions and injuries to the pleural membranes and manifests initially as pleural thickening. Pronounced or prolonged inflammation can lead from thickening to pleural fibrosis, with diagnostics heavily reliant on identifying potential cause(s) from the history and from cross-sectional imaging. Pleural biopsy and interval radiologic testing may be necessary to exclude malignancy.