Chronic Pneumonitis Simulating Bronchiogenic Carcinoma

¹ Associate in Surgery, Chicago Medical School.

In cases of viral, or atypical, and unresolved or recurrent pneumonias, with persistent roentgenological findings suggestive of carcinoma of the lung, the attending physician should consider consulting a well trained thoracic surgeon concerning the advisability of thoracotomy for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

The surgeon responsible for such a patient cannot depend entirely on the results of laboratory studies of bronchial secretions and sputum. At the time of operation his decision concerning the amount of pulmonary tissue to be resected should be based on a pathological examination of an adequate biopsy of the diseased tissue.

Experience with three patients with suspicious thoracic roentgenological findings illustrates the advisability of a policy of aggressive conservatism.