The Pleura Pneumothorax, pleural effusions, empyema and chronic fibrotic pleuritis are usually secondary to pulmonary disease, chest trauma or chest surgery.
Pleural neoplasms are in the mesothelioma group.
Pleural fibrotic plaques usually occur in the lower zones, often on the diaphragm, and are suggestive of asbestos exposure and mesothelioma development only if accompanied by pleural effusion. Microscopic diagnosis can be difficult because reactive pleural changes include fibrosis and proliferation of mesothelial lining cells.