Fibrosing pleuritis

Fibrosing pleuritis, also fibrous pleurisy, is an uncommon benign condition that mimics malignant mesothelioma.

It may be referred to as cryptogenic bilateral fibrosing pleuritis, if it is bilateral.

General

• Benign.
• No asbestos exposure.

Clinical:

• Pleural thickening on imaging.
• Pleural effusion.

Gross

• Pleural thickening associated with a pleural effusion.

Microscopic

Features:

• Fibrosis.
  • Spindle cells.
  • Moderate cellularity.
• No necrosis.
• Inflammation - lymphocytes.

DDx:

• Mesothelioma, desmoplastic.
  • Mesothelioma should not be diagnosed on core biopsy.

See also

• Medical lung diseases.