[Pulmonary findings in Wegener's granulomatosis (author's transl)]

Six patients with the rare condition of Wegener's granulomatosis showing pulmonary manifestations are described. Five patients died at an average age of 40 years; the average duration of their disease was 4.6 months. The pulmonary changes which can be demonstrated radiologically and pathologically are extremely variable. Differential diagnosis is made exceedingly difficult by the presence of necrotic cavities with variable changes in the walls, by miliary or linear infiltrates, round foci or changes resembling bronchopneumonia. In our experience there are no typical radiological changes in the lung which are diagnostic of Wegener's granulomatosis. Treatment has been improved by the use of cytotoxic agents and the necessary early diagnosis can be made only by correlating the clinical, radiological and histological findings.