Cystic Disease of the Lung With Iodized Oil Studies

¹ Rockville, Indiana

1) A resumé of the literature on cystic disease of the lung is presented. There is no general agreement as to whether this condition is congenital or acquired. Anatomically, there are two general types of cysts: Those of the first type are bronchial dilatations; the second group are cavities resembling emphysematous blebs lying subpleurally. The more common symptoms of cystic disease are: dyspnea, cyanosis, cough, cardiac palpitation and rarely hemoptysis. The main condition to be considered in differential diagnosis is spontaneous pneumothorax. Treatment in general is unsatisfactory.

2) The authors describe a new diagnostic procedure which may be employed in difficult cases. An artificial pneumothorax is established and 10 to 15 cc. of iodized oil injected into the pleural space. The patient is then manipulated around to allow the oil to spread out and come in contact with all the pleural surfaces. X-rays immediately following this are very distinctive.

3) A case is reported in which the above mentioned diagnostic procedure was used.