Bacteriologic Examination of Tissues Surgically Removed as an Aid in the Diagnosis of Diseases of the Chest

¹ Division of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
² Section on Bacteriology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
³ Section on Surgical Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.

Obviously, it should be our cherished goal to try to establish a positive clinical diagnosis in every case of pulmonary disease. Careful and diligent use must be made of the many useful tests and examinations that are available for this purpose. The close co-operation of the roentgenologist, bronchoscopist, bacteriologist and other specialists is highly important. Despite all this, there will remain a goodly number of patients suffering from pulmonary disease in whom a positive diagnosis cannot be arrived at. It is often unwise, in a case of this type, to procrastinate too long with periods of observation or with tests that require many weeks for completion, because of the danger that the lesion may be malignant in nature, thereby requiring prompt treatment if it is[SEE THE FIGURE 14 IN SOURCE PDF] to be eradicated successfully. In properly selected cases of this type, exploratory thoracotomy is often indicated; the pathologist can often furnish a prompt explanation of the underlying cause of the pulmonary lesion. In cases in which the cause is uncertain, bacteriologic studies of the tissue should be employed, as often useful information which might otherwise escape detection may be obtained by this method.