Textbook of Pleural Diseases

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.