This is an internationally respected and authoritative work, providing in-depth coverage of all aspects of pleural disease. Building on the strengths of the well-received first edition, the book includes a thorough basic science section, aiding understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie diseases of the pleura. This is followed by a series of chapters discussing clinical aspects of the common (and less common) pleural diseases. Chapters in the clinical section--with authors from 10 countries--are written in an accessible and uniform style, making extensive use of illustrative material and covering definition, incidence and epidemiology, etiology and pathogenesis, clinical presentation, investigations, treatments, possible complications and directions for future developmetn. Chapters present 'state-of-the-art' scientific knowledge, but are written with sufficient clarity as to be understood by clinicians with only a limited science background. All published managment guidelines are included, each chapter concludes with a summary of the 'key points,' highlighting practical messages regarding patient management for the reader, and a comprehensive reference list is provided. In a final chapter, the editors endeavour to rpedict how the area of pleural disease may develop in forthcoming decades. The book is an indispensable reference for pulmonologists with an interest in pleural disease, and is a useful reference for other pulmonary physicians and trainees in respiratory medicine.

Pleural disease: historic perspective PART ONE: Basic Science Anatomy of the pleura Mesothelial cells Normal physiological fluid and cellular contents Physiology: fluid and solute exchange in normal physiological states Physiology: changes with pleural effusion and pneumothorax Pleural inflammation and infection Immunology Pleural fibrosis Pleural reaction to mineral dusts Genetic alterations in mesothelioma pathogenesis Proteomics in pleural disease Pleural pharmacokinetics Experimental models: pleural disease other than mesothelioma Experimental models: mesothelioma PART TWO: Clinical Science Approach to patients with pleural diseases Pleural fluid analysis Pleural manometry Radiology: diagnostic Radiology: interventional Radiology: pleural ultrasound Pathology: histology Pathology: cytology EFFUSIONS Effusions from cardiac diseases Effusions from malignancy Effusions from infections: parapneumonic effusions and empyema Effusions from infections: tuberculosis Effusions from infections: atypical infections Effusions from lymphatic disruptions Effusions from vascular causes Effusions in immunocompromised hosts Effusions from connective tissue diseases Effusions caused by drugs Effusions after surgery Hepatic hydrothorax Effusions caused by gastrointestinal disease Effusions of obstetric or gynecological origin Benign fibrous tumor of the pleura Undiagnosed pleural effusions ASBESTOS-RELATED DISEASES Asbestos-related pleural diseases Malignant mesothelioma PNEUMOTHORAX Spontaneous pneumothorax Non-spontaneous pneumothorax PEDIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS Pediatric pleural diseases INTERVENTION PROCEDURES Drainage techniques Pleurodesis Medical thoracoscopy Surgery for pleural diseases Gene therapy in pleural diseases CONCLUSION Future directions