A 45-year-old shipyard worker with prolonged asbestos exposure presents with dyspnea and pleural effusion. CT reveals circumferential pleural thickening encasing the lung with calcified pleural plaques. What is the most likely pathological diagnosis?
- A Pleural mesothelioma ✓
- B Metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung
- C Rounded atelectasis
- D Solitary fibrous tumor of the pleura
Correct answer: A. Pleural mesothelioma
Explanation
Circumferential pleural thickening encasing the lung with calcified pleural plaques in a patient with asbestos exposure is classic for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Benign asbestos effusion is typically unilateral and non-circumferential. Rounded atelectasis shows a comet tail sign. Solitary fibrous tumor is a localized mass, not diffuse pleural thickening.
Reference: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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