Subpleural fat pads in patients exposed to asbestos: distinction from non-calcified pleural plaques.

Abstract

Patients (30) with known asbestos dust exposure were studied because of uncertainty as to whether or not the pleural changes observed on the radiographs were due to plaques or subpleural fat. The CT [computed tomography] scans confirmed that the changes were due to subpleural fat in 14 cases (48%). Characteristic subpleural fat shadows on radiographs and CT scan were described, and the importance of differentiating fat from plaques for medico-legal reasons was emphasized.