Pathology of the Pleura: What the Pulmonologists Need to Know

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21362105

Respirology. 2011 Mar 1. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1843.2011.01957.x. [Epub ahead of print]

Pathology of the Pleura: What the Pulmonologists Need to Know.
Cagle PT, Allen TC.

Professor of Pathology Weill Medical College of Cornell University New York, New York Director, Pulmonary Pathology The Methodist Hospital 100 Fannin Houston, Texas 713.444.6478 Fax: 713.441.1472 pcagle@tmhs.org Professor of Pathology Chairman, Department of Pathology The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler 11937 US Highway 271 Tyler, Texas 75708 903.877.7883 Fax: 903.877.7964 timothy.allen@uthct.edu timallenmdjd@gmail.com.

Abstract
Primary and metastatic pleural neoplasms, and non-neoplastic pleural diseases, can have similar clinical, radiographic, and gross features. However, treatments and prognoses of these diverse pleural conditions vary greatly. Accurate diagnosis of pleural disease is therefore extremely important; and histologic interpretation of pleural biopsies is vital to rendering an accurate diagnosis. Smaller biopsies contribute to the difficulties in accurately characterizing pleural lesions; and immunostains are frequently employed in their assessment. Diffuse malignant mesothelioma, the most common primary pulmonary neoplasm, is rare; however, other less common primary pleural neoplasms, including solitary fibrous tumor, the most common benign primary pleural neoplasm, occur. These neoplasms are discussed. Also, non-neoplastic pleural diseases, including granulomatous pleuritis, eosinophilic pleuritis, and fibrous and fibrinous pleuritis, among other diseases, are discussed.

© 2011 The Authors. Respirology © 2011 Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.