Pleural Thickening Treatment in India
About Pleural Thickening
Key Highlights
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Accurate diagnosis of the cause of pleural thickening, which is crucial for appropriate management.Non-invasive imaging provides detailed visualization of the pleural lining and lung tissue.Helps differentiate benign thickening from malignant conditions like mesothelioma.Guides treatment plans to address underlying causes and manage symptoms like breathlessness.Essential for long-term monitoring of lung function and respiratory health.
Who is this surgery for?
- History of significant asbestos exposure.
- Unexplained chest pain or persistent shortness of breath (dyspnea).
- Abnormal findings on a routine chest X-ray or CT scan showing pleural changes.
- Recurrent pleural effusions (fluid buildup) or chronic pleurisy (inflammation).
- To rule out malignant causes like mesothelioma or metastatic lung cancer.
- Evaluation of reduced lung function or restrictive lung disease patterns.
How to prepare
- Detailed discussion with the pulmonologist about medical history, especially exposure to asbestos, dust, or prior lung infections.
- Disclosure of all current medications, including blood thinners, which may need to be paused.
- Fasting for several hours if a procedural biopsy or thoracentesis is planned.
- Undergoing baseline pulmonary function tests to assess current lung capacity.
- Arranging for someone to drive the patient home after any invasive diagnostic procedure.
Risks & possible complications
- Diagnostic procedures like thoracentesis or biopsy carry risks of pneumothorax (collapsed lung), bleeding, or infection.
- Progressive thickening can lead to restrictive lung disease, permanently reducing lung volume and function.
- Chronic chest pain and significant, persistent shortness of breath impacting quality of life.
- If caused by asbestos, there is an associated increased lifetime risk of developing mesothelioma or lung cancer.
- Potential for recurrent pleural effusions requiring repeated drainage procedures.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery from diagnostic procedures is typically quick; rest is advised for 24-48 hours.
- Monitor for signs of complications like sharp chest pain, fever, or increased breathlessness and report them immediately.
- Follow-up imaging and pulmonary function tests are scheduled to monitor the condition's stability or progression.
- Long-term management involves treating the underlying cause, pulmonary rehabilitation for breathing exercises, and smoking cessation.
- Regular follow-up appointments with the pulmonologist are essential for ongoing surveillance of respiratory health.
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Typical hospital stay:
0-1 days
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Expected recovery time:
1-2 weeks for procedural recovery; condition management is long-term
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering pleural thickening in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Popular choices for pleural thickening in India include Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Kamineni Hospital, King Koti, Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, known for experienced specialists and advanced surgical infrastructure.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform pleural thickening. MediFyr helps you compare pulmonologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for pleural thickening compare across other countries where we have data.
Top hospitals for Pleural Thickening in India
These partner hospitals in India have dedicated pulmonology teams and experience managing patients undergoing pleural thickening.
Hyderabad, India
20 Doctors
Vivaan Khan, a 58-year-old former shipyard...
Vivaan Khan, a 58-year-old former shipyard welder, had spent 30 years working in confined spaces with asbestos exposure. A lifelong non-smoker, he began experiencing a persistent, dry cough and a vague feeling of tightness in his chest that worsened when he took a deep breath. Over six months, he grew increasingly short of breath during his daily walks with his grandchildren. A chest X-ray and subsequent CT scan ordered by his primary doctor revealed bilateral pleural thickening, scarring of the lung lining. His pulmonologist, Dr. Evans, explained that while the scarring itself couldn't be reversed, they needed to rule out mesothelioma and assess if the thickening was impeding his lung function, requiring a thoracoscopic pleural biopsy. Vivaan was terrified, convinced his work had given him a death sentence. The VATS procedure was done under general anesthesia; they took several tissue samples. The recovery in the hospital was painful, with a chest tube for two days, but the pathology came back benign, showing only reactive thickening. With pulmonary rehab, his breathing improved modestly. The emotional relief was profound. While he has permanent limitations, knowing it wasn't cancer allowed him to shift from fear to management, focusing on preserving his quality of life with his family.
Pulmonologists for Pleural Thickening
Explore experienced pulmonologists who regularly perform pleural thickening and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 21 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 9 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital EM Bypass, Kolkata
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 15 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 11 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Vijayawada, vijayawada
- 14 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Kharadi, Pune
- 25 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
KMC Hospital Mangalore, Mangalore
- 13 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospitals Broadway, Kolkata
- 17 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Dhakuria, Kolkata
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Mukundapur, Kolkata
- 22 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Salt Lake, Kolkata
- 28 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Jaipur, Jaipur
- 36 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Millers Road, Bangalore
- 4 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Siliguri, Siliguri
- 8 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Dwarka, Delhi
- 12 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Varthur Road, Bangalore
- 8 Years Experience
- Pulmonologist
Manipal Hospital Malleshwaram, Bangalore