[Clinico-morphologic comparison of pulmonary lesions in acute leukemia]

The authors provide x-ray and postmortem examination data on pulmonary lesions in 36 patients with acute leukemia. Morphological lesions revealed in 80% of the examinees were as follows: hemorrhage, leukemic pneumonitis, secondary pneumonia (64%, 25% and 17% of case, respectively). The risk factors comprise severe and long-term thrombocytopenia, leukocytosis, long-term post-cytostatic agranulocytosis. It is stated that frequent pulmonary involvement in acute leukemia and the absence of specific clinicoroentgenological picture of pneumopathy often result in misdiagnosis. Wider use of fibrobronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage examination and transbronchial pulmonary biopsy is recommended to advance the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary lesions in acute leukemia.