[Diagnostic problems in pleural involvement in systemic diseases].

Pleuropulmonary manifestations in connective tissue diseases are frequent and variable. Pleural involvement is due especially to autoimmune inflammation and vasculitis, causing increased capillary permeability. Many of pleural effusions are asymptomatic, but with advancement in chest scanning techniques and immunohistology, pleuropulmonary abnormalities are increasingly being recognized in the early stages of a variety of connective tissue disease. The purpose of this article is to provide comprehensive information about incidence, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation and treatment for pleural diseases associated with connective tissue diseases.