title: [Asbestos-related pleural plaques: a literature review].
abstract: Pleural plaques (PP) are considered to be hallmarks of asbestos exposure. They constitute focal thickenings of the pleura and are commonly seen in patients without lung disease. They can involve parietal, diaphragmatic and mediastinal pleura. Chest x-ray is frequently used for PP diagnosis, but computed tomography, especially when used the high-resolution technique, is the imaging exam with the greatest sensibility and specificity. PP are almost always asymptomatic, but there are some controversial about their relationship with asbestos exposure indexes, pulmonary functional alterations and risk of neoplasias.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. gustavo.meirelles@fleury.com.br
authors.forename: G S P
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Meirelles
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Kavakama
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jasinowodolinski
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Nery
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terra-Filho
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Neder
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bagatin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'ippolito
mesh_terms: D001194:Asbestos / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D001194:Asbestos