Pleural biopsy is done to differentiate between benign and malignant disease, to diagnose viral, fungal, or parasitic diseases, and to identify a condition called collagen vascular disease of the pleura.

Pleural-based opacity refers to opacity seen in X-rays along the pleural surface. The opacity or silhouettes can mean many things like signs of injuries, possible thickening, or indications of disease.

Asymmetrical = not the same on each side - i.e. one side is worse than the other.

Apical = the top of the lungs.

Pleural = The lining of the lung.

Normal findings indicate no evidence of any pathologic or disease conditions.

A pleural effusion is exesive collection of fluid in the pleural This can be the result of excess fluid production or decreased absorption. It is the most common manifestation of pleural disease, with etiologies ranging from cardiopulmonary disorders to symptomatic inflammatory or malignant diseases. RA is an inflamatory disease that effects connective tissue and produces fluid . unfortunately in about 2 to 5% RA cases it can manifest itself in the Lungs.