Pleural Disease - Asbestos Flashcards
What is asbestos
Highly fibrous naturally occurring material
What are the 3 main types of asbestos
Chrysotile (white)
Amosite (brown
Crocidolite (blue)
Which type of asbestos is the most dangerous
Crocidolite (blue)
Where is asbestos mined
Canada, South Africa and Russia
Which type of asbestos is widely used
Chrysotile (white) - about 90%
What can asbestos be woven into
Fabric or added to other materials
Commonly found in building materials
What type of commercially profitable properties can asbestos give materials
High tensile strength
Fire resistance
Insulation to electrical charge
Resistant to chemical attack
Who is at the most risk of asbestos exposure
Boiler men Engineers Electricians Plumbers Building trade Ship building (may not have worked with asbestos, in proximity) Father’s husband’s overalls
How long does it take for the disease to present
20-40 years
What can asbestos exposure cause
Mesothelioma which is pleural malignancy
How many mesothelioma cases are due to asbestos
Over 80%
Where else can mesothelioma occur
Peritoneum
What does mesothelioma present with
Breathlessness
Chest wall pain
What will radiology show in mesothelioma
It is normally unilateral
Diffuse or localised pleural thickening
What can be conducted if the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma early and is fit
Pleuroneumonectomy
