An 85-year-old man with type 2 diabetes mellitus presented to our clinic with the chief complaints of dry cough and dyspnea on exertion for several months. The oxygen saturation under ambient room air was 92. Upon physical examination, the patient looked ill and appeared with rapid, shallow breathing pattern. Fine, end-inspiratory crackles were auscultated at bilateral basal lungs. Chest radiography (Figure 1a) and computed tomography (CT) (Figure 1b) showed calcified pleural plaques, mostly distributed along basal and lateral aspect of pleura. On reviewing his medical record, he had a pulmonary function test (PFT) 5 years ago, showing moderate restrictive ventilation defects. He worked as a stonemason for more than 30 years. In light of his occupation, physical examination, PFT and imaging study, asbestos-related pleural plaque was diagnosed.
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