Pleural Fibrosis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Pleural fibrosis is an important condition related to lung health, and it is important to understand the disease. In this article, we will discuss in detail what pleural fibrosis is, its causes, symptoms and treatment options.

What is Pleural Fibrosis?

Pleural fibrosis is a condition that occurs as a result of thickening and hardening of the lung membrane called pleura. The thickened membrane compresses the lung, impairing respiratory function and causing shortness of breath.

Reasons:

Pleural fibrosis can often be associated with chronic lung diseases, infections, cancers of the lung membrane or other health problems. Long-term accumulation of fluid in the chest and outside the lung, called the pleural space, inflamed fluid or cancers of the pleural membrane cause the pleural membrane to thicken over time.

Symptoms:

Chest pain and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms. Fever and phlegm may occur due to inflammatory fluid accumulation due to infection. In cancers of the pleural membrane, symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss may be added to the disease.

Diagnosis:

Diagnostic methods such as x-ray, computed tomography (CT) and pleural biopsy are used in the diagnosis of pleural fibrosis. The most valuable method is to take a biopsy from the pleural membrane using needle or closed surgery methods.

Treatment Options:

Treatment of pleural fibrosis involves surgical peeling of the thickened pleura. The thickened membrane on the lung is specifically peeled off using closed or open methods, which are preferred according to the patient. This allows the lung to expand again and fill the chest cavity. In addition, peeling of the thickened pleural membrane on the chest wall is also necessary to eliminate the disease.

Prevention:

The most common cause of pleural fibrosis is the accumulation of inflamed fluid between the pleural membranes due to infections. Avoiding cold and not smoking are important for protection. Pleural cancer called mesothelioma has been found to be associated with asbestos. Environments and workplaces containing asbestos pose risks. 

Pleural fibrosis is a significant condition that affects lung health. In case of any doubt, it is important to contact a healthcare professional.