[The clinical x-ray diagnosis of pulmonary hamartomas]

A clinico-roentgenologic study of 67 patients with hamartoma of the lung was carried out. Hamartoma could not be even suggested unless X-ray examination was performed but even this procedure sometimes failed to identify the disease. It was far from being each case that typical roentgenologic features of hamartoma were observed. Transthoracic needle biopsy may be helpful in identifying the nature of a roentgenologically detected tumor. Roentgenologically, hamartoma should be first of all distinguished from peripheral lung cancer. When clinico-roentgenologic and needle biopsy data are inconclusive with respect to lung cancer diagnostic thoracotomy should be performed.