The ultrasound appearance of asbestos-related pleural plaques.
Twenty-five patients with a history of asbestos exposure and radiological evidence of pleural plaques were examined by ultrasound (US). Non-calcified pleural plaque appeared as a regular area of echo-poor tissue which was well defined adjacent to the diaphragm or lateral chest wall, and varied in thickness from 5 mm to 12 mm. Calcified plaques had echogenic and irregular anterior margins with acoustic shadowing beyond. They were associated with characteristic comet tail and straight line artefact.
Morgan
R A
RA
Department of Radiology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Pickworth
F E
FE
Dubbins
P A
PA
McGavin
C R
CR
D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002114:Calcinosis; D003964:Diaphragm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D010994:Pleura / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013909:Thorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001194:Asbestos