Benign asbestos pleural effusion. Report of a first series in Spain

Up to now, only 2 cases of benign asbestos pleural effusion have been described in Spain. We report our experience of 15 patients diagnosed of benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE). Between 1980 and January 1995, 15 patients were diagnosed of BAPE according to the following criteria: a) evidence of pleural effusion; b) previous asbestos exposure, and c) exclusion of other etiologies of last during 3 years of follow-up. Retrospective review of diagnostic and evolutive data from the patients' clinical records. Asbestos exposure was intense in 8 patients and slight in 7. There were 11 effusions on the left side and 4 on the right side. All effusions were exudative, with a pleural adenosine deaminase level lower than 43 U/l. Eleven patients had a lymphocytic pleural fluid. All patients had nonspecific pleural histology, and asbestos bodies were detected in one case. Eleven patients achieved a radiographic resolution in less than 3 months, and 3 patients presented relapses. Fourteen patients had a good outcome, and one patient presented a lung adenocarcinoma after 5 years of follow-up. Benign asbestos pleural effusions are predominant on the left side, have a tendency to relapse and the exposition can be occasional. The outcome is good in most of the cases.