[Massive lung necrosis in klebsiella pneumonia (so-called massive lung gangrene)]

In the literature only 13 cases of voluminous necrosis of lung tissue, generally referred to as massive pulmonary gangrene, could be found. This disease constitutes an unusual, very severe complication of lobar pneumonia, mostly due to Klebsiella. This type of pneumonia generally affects old or otherwise debilitated persons, quite often chronic alcoholics. It has a high lethality of 20%. Our own observation in a 48-year-old man is presented. He suffered from recurrent massive hemoptysis in relation with a huge cavity of the right lung, filled with necrotic lung tissue. Following right pneumonectomy empyema developed, also due to Klebsiella; it was successfully treated with thoracic fenestration according to Clagett. Knowledge of this severe infrequent complication of pneumonia is necessary since it requires early operative treatment: Out of the 14 patients four were treated medically only and died, while the remaining ten underwent surgery and were all cured.