Congenital Multiple Cysts of the Lung

¹ Workers Sick-Fund, Department for Lung Diseases, Haifa, Israel.

In mass examinations of immigrants, who mostly came from Arab countries tries in the years 1950-51, an unprecedented large number of cases (188) of pulmonary cysts was detected. Out of these 96 were with large single cysts (mainly echinococcus) and 92 with congenital multiple cysts, occupying one or more lobes. A clinical and roentgenologic picture of the disease is given, the congenital origin of the disease is discussed.

The differential diagnosis between this disease and bronchiectatic cysts is based on clinical and roentgenological evidence, which corroborates the histopathological findings, published in the literature. The importance of a precise determination of the different varieties of pulmonary cysts is emphasized. The disease rarely manifests itself by symptoms; the latter may appear when the disease is associated with secondary infection.