MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Asbestos-related pleural effusion

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Asbestos-related pleural effusion

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Illustrations Alternative Names	Definition

Illustrations

Respiratory system

Alternative Names Return to top

Pleural effusion - asbestos-related

Definition Return to top

This refers to a collection of fluid around the lung, called a pleural effusion, that generally develops a few years after asbestos exposure. These fluid collections are not harmful and usually go away on their own.

Update Date: 11/13/2006

Updated by: David A. Kaufman, M.D., Assistant Professor, Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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