Treatment for Pleural Thickening Medication: Bronchodilators and steroids are prescribed to open airways and reduce inflammation to make breathing easier. Pain medication and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to alleviate chest pain.
Full Answer
Can pleural thickening be cured by antibiotics?
Jun 02, 2014 · Answer: by Denton A. Cooley, MD. Thickening of the apical pleura may be a result of several conditions, mostly benign. Without further information about your age and medical history, I am unable to be more specific. I suggest that you see a qualified physician for an opinion. Share on. Email.
Does pleural thickening go away?
Jul 27, 2017 · Treatment. Treatment for apical pleural thickening can only be treated surgically as the hardened areas of the lungs are scar tissue and will need to be removed. Thus relieving the pressure off the lungs allowing them to expand freely.
Can pleural thickening be reversed?
Apical is denoting to apex. The pleural thickening is the scar of the pleura of the lungs. This is caused mainly due to the pleural effusion. Even after the treatment the scar remains and the X-ray shows it clearly. It has no theoretical effect. I have experienced that even after the recovery, a patient suffers pain/discomfort/breathlessness.
What is mild pleural apical thickening?
Treating Pleural Thickening. There is no specific cure for pleural thickening because once the damage has been caused it is irreversible, but it is extremely important to have the disease diagnosed because pleural thickening could go on to cause additional complications. Strictly speaking pleural thickening is considered as a benign condition but there is a possibility that it …
How do you treat apical pleural thickening?
Is bilateral apical pleural thickening serious?
How serious is pleural thickening?
What does bilateral apical pleural thickening mean?
Can pleural thickening be cured?
How long can you live with pleural thickening?
Is pleural thickening normal?
Can TB cause pleural thickening?
Does pleural thickening mean I have cancer?
Pleural thickening alone is not enough to confirm that you have asbestos cancer. However, it can be a sign of significant asbestos exposure and ind...
Can pleural thickening be cured?
Pleural thickening has no cure and is usually limited to supportive treatment. The effects of pleural thickening are irreversible in malignant pleu...
Can pleural thickening be caused by smoking?
Asbestos is the primary cause of pleural thickening. There is data that points to a correlation between smoking and the progression of pleural thic...
What causes pleural thickening?
Causes of Pleural Thickening. Prolonged asbestos exposure is a known cause of pleural thickening. Once inside the body, asbestos fibers migrate to the pleura and cause inflammation, tissue scarring and genetic damage. Pleural thickening is the result of extensive scarring of the visceral pleura, which covers the lungs.
Is pleural thickening a cancer?
No, pleural thickening is not a type of cancer, nor is it a sign of cancer. Many people with pleural thickening never develop an asbestos-related disease, but some people do. Development of asbestos-related pleural thickening means a person was exposed to sufficient asbestos to suffer detrimental health effects.
What is the scarring of the lungs?
This scarring, also known as fibrosis, restricts lung function and may cause chest pain and difficulty breathing. Treatment involves medication to control pain and inflammation, and pulmonary rehabilitation to help patients breathe easier.
How long does asbestos last?
Studies of asbestos workers who developed the condition show most of them worked with asbestos between three and 34 years. The typical latency period between exposure and diagnosis ranges from 15 to 20 years, but some cases develop within a few years of exposure.
Can a CT scan show asbestos?
An X-ray can reveal thickening of the pleura, but a CT scan is more likely to show thickening in better detail. A CT scan, which is also used to diagnose asbestosis and pleural plaques, can confirm the condition earlier.
What is the best way to diagnose asbestosis?
A CT scan, which is also used to diagnose asbestosis and pleural plaques, can confirm the condition earlier. PET and MRI scans provide even further detail and may be used to differentiate pleural thickening from malignant mesothelioma.
What is the purpose of pulmonary function test?
Pulmonary Function Tests: Tests to measure your lung size and air flow, including spirometry and lung volume tests, will be used to monitor disease progression and direct treatment options. Respiratory Aides: Some patients with severe difficulty breathing benefit from oxygen therapy.
Can pleural thickening be reversed?
Pleural thickening does not have a cure. The effects of pleural thickening cannot be reversed. However, the condition may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms that do not require treatment. If the disease progresses and symptoms worsen, doctors may recommend various treatment options.
Can asbestos cause pleural thickening?
Pleural Thickening. Pleural thickening occurs when scar tissue develops on the lining of the lungs, or the pleura. It may be caused by asbestos exposure. Pleural thickening can indicate serious diseases, such as mesothelioma. Though it cannot be cured, treatment can help manage symptoms.
Features
The lungs are covered by two thin layers of tissue. These layers are known as the pleura. The pleura may become hardened and lose it elasticity due to infection or by some other disease process such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Symptoms
Symptoms of apical pleural thickening are similar to other respiratory disease processes. They include shortness of breath, chest pain and difficulty breathing during exercise.
Treatment
Treatment for apical pleural thickening can only be treated surgically as the hardened areas of the lungs are scar tissue and will need to be removed. Thus relieving the pressure off the lungs allowing them to expand freely.
Is there a cure for pleural thickening?
There is no specific cure for pleural thickening because once the damage has been caused it is irreversible, but it is extremely important to have the disease diagnosed because pleural thickening could go on to cause additional complications.
Is pleural thickening a benign condition?
Strictly speaking pleural thickening is considered as a benign condition but there is a possibility that it can go on to cause malignant mesothelioma so careful regular monitoring of a patient’s condition is essential.