BENIGN ASBESTOS PLEURAL EFFUSION - REPORT OF A FIRST SERIES IN SPAIN

Up to now, only 2 cases of benign asbestos pleural effusion have been described in Spain, We report our experience of 15 patients diagnosed of benign asbestos pleural effusion (BAPE). Between 1980 and January 1 995, 15 patients were diagnosed of SAFE according to the following cri teria: al evidence of pleural effusion; 61 previous asbestos exposure, and cl exclusion of other ethiologies of last during 3 years of follo w-up. Retrospective review of diagnostic and evolutive data from the p atients' clinical records. Asbestos exposure was intense in 8 patients and slight in 7. There weres 11 effusions on the left side and 4 on t he right side. All effusions were exudative, with a pleural adenosine deaminase level lower than 43 U/l. Eleven patients had a lymphocytic p leural fluid. All patients had nonspecific pleural histology, and asbe stos bodies were detected in one case. Eleven patients achieved a radi ographic resolution in less than 3 months, and 3 patients presented re lapses. Fourteen patients had a good outcome, and one patient presente d a lung adenocarcinoma after 5 years of follow-up. Benign asbestos pl eural effusions are predominant on the left side, have a tendency to r elapse and the exposition can be occasional. The outcome is good in mo st of the cases.