[Physiopathology of pleural diseases]
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Updated: Sep 8, 2026

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition
Published on: March 3, 2023
1Université Libre de Bruxelles, service de pneumologie, Hôpital Erasme.
Abstract:
The pleura is characterized by its great capacity to drain liquids and particles from the pleural space and a strong inflammatory potential. Mesothelial cells react to various endogenous or exogenous agents, which are absent from the pleural space in normal conditions: air, blood, organic and inorganic particles. The pleura is a target organ, for specific lesions (pleural plaques, mesothelioma) induced by mineral fibers and for non-specific inflammatory lesions from multiple causes (drugs, systemic diseases, infections). The risk for diseases of the pleura appears disproportionate compared with its physiological role.
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