PAIN AND ASBESTOS RELATED PLEURAL PLAQUES

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T Cramond, M Casserly
University of Queensland, Qld

The purpose of the study

• To determine the lag time between the exposure to asbestos and the onset of chest pain.
• To determine the relationship between the onset of chest pain associated with pleural plaques and the diagnosis of their presence.
• To correlate the dermatomal distribution of the pain with the location of the plaques.
• To record the incidence of other potential causes of chest pain.

Method

Review of the medical files of 100 patients.

Result

It has been possible to exclude cardiac and musculoskeletal causes of chest pain by appropriate assessment including the history, physical examination and the results of investigations of the patients with pleural plaques.

Conclusion

The location of the pleural plaques and the course of the unprotected intercostal nerves, provide a scientific explanation of the pain.

Time of Presentation
Saturday 13 May 2006 - 1530-1700