Pleural disease affects the pleural lining of the lungs. When these thin membranes become scarred and thickened, it is medically termed as pleural thickening. It can be limited to one location (focal scarring) or become widespread (diffuse scarring). Pleural plaque is the other name for focal scarring. In most cases, Pleural thickening is harmless. Diffuse pleural thickening is non-malignant in nature. Prolonged exposure to highly concentrated asbestos fibers causes pleural thickening. Causes of pleural thickening include:
--Inflammation in the lungs.
--Infections from bacterial pneumonia.
--Tuberculosis infection.
--Benign or malignant tumor.
--Rheumatoid disease of the lungs.
--Radiation and chemotherapy.
--External injuries to the lungs that causes contusions such as blows or vehicular accidents.
--Blood clots in a lung artery (pulmonary embolism).
--Certain drugs.
--Systematic infections such as lupus.
--Long-term asbestos exposure has been proven to cause a malignant type of pleural thickening called mesothelioma or mesothelioma cancer.