Lung Immobilization Chamber Therapy in Chronic Pulmonary Tuberculosis (With Case Reports)

¹ The District No. 1 Tuberculosis Sanatorium, Decatur, Alabama.

1) The results in 23 cases treated by lung immobilizing chamber therapy in our institution over a period of the past four years are described. Eight of these were considered initial failures in patients who were unable to learn or maintain correct lung immobilization. Five of the 23 cases were treatment failures, in which arrest was not achieved after long periods of adequate lung immobilization. The 10 remaining patients were clinically arrested in whole or in part due to lung immobilizing chamber therapy and have remained well for periods ranging from six to 42 months.

2) The case histories of 10 patients in whom arrest of disease took place are reported with illustrative roentgenographic pictures.

3) The limitations and advantages of lung immobilizing therapy are discussed. Careful selection of patients is emphasized.

4) The use of the lung immobilizing chamber is stressed as an adjunct to the therapy of chronic pulmonary tuberculosis which is of value in the closure of cavities and arrest of disease without resulting in loss of pulmonary function.