[Intrapulmonary solitary round opacities. Diagnosis and therapy]

The authors envisage the practical problems brought by unexpected intraparenchymal single round images seen on X ray. Thirty to 40% of these opacities proved to be malignant; the proportion rising over 50% in patients more than 50 years old. The great majority of these malignant tumours are primitive and the earlier the exeresis, the better the prognosis. The criteria of benignity (age under 35, presence of calcification amidst the opacity) are not always absolute. For fear of overlooking a malignant tumour, exploring thoracotomy is recommended.