Non-infectious Benign Diseases of the Pleura

The pleura can be affected by a variety of non-infectious benign conditions of different underlying etiology. These conditions may involve the pleura in a localized or diffuse distribution and are often the result of infections, drug reactions, systemic collagen vascular disease, uremia, pneumothorax, trauma, prior surgical intervention, autotransplantation, or tumors (Cagle and Allen, Respirology 16:430-8, 2011). The importance of the recognition of these lesions lies in the fact that some of these conditions may closely mimic pleural neoplasia, not only clinically or radiologically, but also from a histopathological perspective. Therefore, familiarity with these entities is important for accurate diagnosis and not to mistake them for a malignant process with different therapeutic and prognostic implications.