Massive Pulmonary Cavitary Bleeding

¹ The Department of Surgery, X-ray, and Medicine of Baylor University College of Medicine and Jefferson Davis Hospital, Tuberculosis Division.

1. Two cases of massive hemorrhage within pulmonary cavities are reported, one presenting as a nontuberculous lung abscess which terminated fatally and the other a tuberculous cavity successfully resected.

2. Although the clinical findings are often helpful, the diagnosis and localization of the lesion is usually made by radiographic techniques. Evidence of hemorrhage arising from a cavity may be found in the changing appearance of the lesion with the development of a "halo" formed by an air cap overlying the blood density.

3. With severe bleeding and radiographic evidence of its origin from a pulmonary cavity, prompt surgical intervention is indicated. The chief objective of the surgery is the removal of the bleeding cavity and this should be accomplished with a minimal resection.