[Results of thoracoscopy in localized lung and chest wall diseases]

On the basis of 109 thoracoscopic examinations--out of a total number of 1,014 thoracoscopies performed between 1981 and 1986 at our Department--carried out to investigate localised disorders of the lungs and wall of the chest, the diagnostic effectiveness of the method for this indication has been examined. The lesions involved were 59 pulmonary foci, and 50 localised changes involving the wall of the chest, thoracic spine or diaphragm. With the aid of thoracoscopy, the diagnosis proved possible in 83% of the disorders of the chest wall, in comparison with only 46% in the case of the pulmonary lesions, since the focus is often not sufficiently sub-pleural in location, or else pleural adhesions that presented impaired the view. On the basis of the high diagnostic yield in localised diseases of the thoracic wall, thoracoscopy should be considered for this indication in particular, when clarification of the situation is not possible with radiological procedures, and surgery appears unnecessary or not feasible.