Thoracic mass lesions in immuno-incompetent patients

An aggressive surgical approach was used in the diagnosis and treatment of seven immuno-incompetent patients who presented with focal thoracic mass lesions. In five of the seven patients, minor diagnostic procedures had failed to provide a diagnosis. All seven patients were subjected to exploratory thoracotomy with resection and/or drainage of the involved area. Two patients had parenchymal masses, two had lung abscesses, two had empyemas with trapped lung, and one had a bronchial fistula. An accurate diagnosis and full resolution of the intrathoracic process was obtained in all patients. There was little morbidity and no operative mortality in this series. Resection of focal thoracic lesions in immuno-incompetent patients combines accurate diagnosis with precise therapy and is well tolerated in this high risk group of patients.