Fibrosing pleuritis

Fibrosing pleuritis is an uncommon benign condition that mimics malignant mesothelioma.

It is also known as cryptogenic bilateral fibrosing pleuritis and fibrous pleurisy.

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.