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Mild obscuration of left costophrenic angle, which may be related to pleural thickening. What is the meaning of this report?

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Patient's Query

Dear doctor,

I had a medical record saying that "the lungs are clear, there is mild obscuration of the left costophrenic angle, which may be related to pleural thickening". What is the meaning of this report?
Answered by Dr. Divakara P

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divakara. P is a Diabetologist and an Endocrinologist specializing in Pain Medicine and Pulmonology with 18 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in 2006 and MD in General Medicine at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2011. He is qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine glands. Currently, he is practicing in Dr. Divakara's Speciality Clinic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Pleura is a covering membrane (a plastic cover like structure) which covers the entire lung. If the pleura gets thickened, then it causes obscuration of costophrenic angle.

There are many causes of pleural thickening like:

  • Exposure to chemicals like asbestos.
  • Infections.
  • Tumors or cancer.
  • Drugs.
  • Abnormalities in blood flow to lungs.
  • Autoimmune diseases.
  • Chronic exposure to tobacco and nicotine.

If you do not have any problem presently then there is no need to evaluate at present for the cause of pleural thickening except avoid exposure to chemicals (if at all you are getting exposed). You can repeat chest x-ray after six months for a follow up. But, if you are having any problems like cough, weight loss, or breathlessness, I advise you to get HRCT of the chest (high-resolution computed tomography) and pleural biopsy test done.

Answered by Dr. Divakara P
Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At October 14, 2014
Reviewed At May 5, 2025

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divakara. P is a Diabetologist and an Endocrinologist specializing in Pain Medicine and Pulmonology with 18 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in 2006 and MD in General Medicine at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2011. He is qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine glands. Currently, he is practicing in Dr. Divakara's Speciality Clinic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

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Companion

Pleural Thickening and Costophrenic Angle Chest X-ray Companion

How it works

A chest X-ray report can sometimes contain terms that are unclear. Here's a breakdown of what 'mild obscuration of the left costophrenic angle, which may be related to pleural thickening' means.

1

Pleura
Covering

2

Angle
Obscuration

3

Thickening
Causes

4

Environmental
Medical

5

Systemic
Lifestyle

6

Further
Evaluation

This information is based on general medical guidance. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice; consult a qualified clinician.

Always consult a doctor before taking medication; self-medication carries serious health risks. Take exact prescribed doses, and never start, change, or stop treatment without medical supervision.
Dr. Divakara P
Dr. Divakara P

Internal Medicine

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Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Divakara. P is a Diabetologist and an Endocrinologist specializing in Pain Medicine and Pulmonology with 18 years of clinical experience. He completed his MBBS at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in 2006 and MD in General Medicine at the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in 2011. He is qualified to diagnose and treat disorders of the endocrine glands. Currently, he is practicing in Dr. Divakara's Speciality Clinic, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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