[Video-assisted thoracic surgical (VATS) biopsy as a technique for differential diagnosis of indeterminate small pulmonary nodules].

Abstract

The authors experienced two cases of multiple pulmonary tuberculomas, which were suspected of metastatic lung tumors. First patient was a 63-years-old male, who was found to have multiple pulmonary nodular shadows on his check up chest X-ray film, suspected of pulmonary metastases of rectal cancer. VATS biopsy, performed for one of nodules revealed that it was caseating granuloma, suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. Second patient was a 55-years-old female with rheumatoid arthritis and a chest X-ray film showed multiple pulmonary nodules, which were thought to be metastatic lung tumor from unknown origin. VATS biopsy for a subpleural nodule showed epitheloid granuloma with caseous necrosis of lung, indicating pulmonary tuberculosis. VATS biopsy is, therefore, an useful technique for differential diagnosis of small pulmonary nodules of unknown origin.

• Authors: H Yamamoto, T Ohtsuka, Y Imura, A Fujita, A Suzuki
• Journal: Kekkaku : [Tuberculosis] (Kekkaku) Vol. 71 Issue 5 Pg. 339-44 (May 1996) ISSN: 0022-9776 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 8676591 (Publication Type: Case Reports, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Biopsy (methods)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Female
• Humans
• Lung (pathology)
• Lung Neoplasms (diagnosis, secondary)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Thoracoscopy
• Tuberculoma (diagnosis, pathology)
• Tuberculosis, Pulmonary (diagnosis, pathology)
• Video Recording