[Clinical, radiologic and morphologic characteristics of localized forms of pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis and...

Clinical and x-ray examinations and study of operation material from 555 patients with local forms of tuberculosis permitted the authors to distinguish three form of the condition: tuberculoma (77% of cases), cavitary (cavernous) tuberculosis (16%), and tuberculosis of the bronchi (5%). Morphologic investigations showed the local tuberculosis develops at small sites of pulmonary tissue hypoplasia. Sites of hypoplasia are usually concentrated in the pulmonary segments which are formed in the postnatal period, thus explaining the typical localization of a postprimary tuberculous focus. Tissue decomposition with development of destruction cavities is not characteristic of local tuberculosis. Cavitary (cavernous) form is a morphologic reflection of a tuberculous inflammation in the zone of cestous hypoplasia. Morphonesis of local forms of tuberculosis reflects its social dependence.