The Clinical Problem of Infected Cystic Disease of the Lung

A study of the clinical problem of infected cystic disease of the lung has been presented, based on the study of nine cases in which resections were done, two on whom exploratory operations were done, and on 15 other cases not verified by operation. The infection of areas of cystic disease produces symptoms which are usually considered to be due to virus pneumonia until it is observed that the roentgenographic changes persist. Tuberculosis, and other chronic inflammatory processes, can produce similar signs and symptoms. In all resected cases columnar, mucoid epithelium was found to line some of the cysts. Others had squamous cell lining, or only a lining of inflammatory cells. The walls were fibrous and did not contain muscle or cartilage. In two of the cases a communication between some of the cysts and terminal bronchi was observed. Evidence of a marked inflammatory reaction was present in every lobe resected. The only satisfactory treatment is resection of the involved tissue. In our nine cases total lobectomy was done in eight, and a subtotal in one. There was one death, in the youngest patient, as a result of pulmonary edema.