Clinical analysis of 19 patients with pleural mesothelioma

Objective: To summarize the experience in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.

Methods: Analysing the clinical data of 19 patients with pleural mesothelioma, including age, history of exposure to asbestos, clinical manifestations, imaging and laboratory examinations and metastases.

Results: None of the 19 patients had history of exposure to asbestos. Eight cases(42.1%) had no obvious thoracodynia, 9 cases(47.4%) had pleural effusion limited to the right chest, and in 2 cases(10.5%) the brachialis plexus was involved, and in 1 case (5.3%) malignant mesothelial cells were detected in the pleural effusion. Pleural thickening or nodules were found in 13 cases on CT and in 9 cases by B ultrasonographic examination.

Conclusions: Exposure to asbestos is not the only cause of pleural mesothelioma. Chest pain is not always associated with pleural mesothelioma. CT and B ultrasonography are of good help in the diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma.