Diffuse pleural thickening

Asbestos exposure

Another disease associated with asbestos exposure is diffuse pleural thickening. The pleura is a two-layered membrane which surrounds the lungs and lines the inside of the rib cage. Some asbestos fibres inhaled into lungs work their way out to the pleura and may cause scarring to develop there. This causes the pleura to thicken and this may show up on a chest X-ray or CT scan. Pleural thickening occurs in two forms.

Diffuse pleural thickening

This extends over a large area and may restrict expansion of the lungs, leading to breathlessness

Pleural plaques

These are localised areas of pleural thickening, that don’t usually interfere with breathing.

Our legal team are experts in ensuring that maximum compensation is paid in these circumstances.

If you or a loved one has suffered, or is suffering from this condition, please call our specialist team on 0800 61 66 81 or contact using the details at the top left of this page.