[Histiocytosis X--a comparative 2-country study of East Germany and Yugoslavia]

In a retrospective study 25 patients with histologically confirmed histiocytosis X were investigated in the GDR and in Yugoslavia. No differences between the clinical course was observed in the two countries. The disease was found somewhat more frequent in men, and relative to age groups the age group 18-39 prevailed. Only one fourth of the patients were detected by radiophotography. Lung function was impaired in 2/3 of the patients. In the lung radiogramm reticular and micronodular changes predominated at the beginning of the disease while cystic lesions appeared in late stages of the disease. The diagnosis was established on the basis of biopsy (most often transthoracic lung biopsy) and pathohistologic examination. The course of the disease was unfavourable because of the 18 observed patients 3 died and in 6 progression of the disease was noted on average within several years.