[Diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion]. / Diagnostik des tuberkulösen Pleuraergusses.

The endoscopic-macroscopic images of thoracoscopies performed in the presence of a pleural effusion, are analysed. When comparing the various forms of the disease, the image must be resolved into its elements. It is found that the optical image is characteristic for the disease patterns; the appearance of the image elements also depends on the time at which the examination is performed.

[Electron microscopy studies of alveolar macrophages in some lung diseases]. / Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen der Alveolarmakrophagen bei einigen Lungenerkrankungen.

Results of electron microscopic examinations of the pulmonary alveolar macrophage in healthy nonsmokers, smokers and in patients with proteinosis, hard metal coniosis and sarcoidosis are reviewed. Authors have carried out the staining of the acid phosphatase and peroxydase enzymes as well. Ultrastructural alterations in the different cases were very characteristic, but the cytochemical results in the macrophages from sarcoidosis are not pathognomonic.

Electron microscopy of macrophages obtained from bronchial lavage-fluid.

The ultrastructure of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) was studied in smokers, non-smokers, and in patients with alveolar proteinosis, Boeck-sarcoidosis and heavy-metal coniosis. Cells were collected from therapeutic or diagnostic bronchial lavage-fluid. Typical alterations are reported for each disease studied. Diagnostic bronchial lavage has opened new perspectives in pulmonology. However, the study of the cellular constituents of the lavage requires in addition to morphology, biochemical and immunological techniques. The most frequently occurring cell type of the bronchial lavage is alveolar macrophage (AM, AMA, PAM). In the intact lung its number amounts to 15 X 10(9). These cells are 12-20 microns in diameter and when stained with Giemsa, dark blue cytoplasmic granules and cytoplasmic vacuoles are seen. They are PAS-positive and contain a negligible amount of lipids. Cytochemistry has shown several enzymes in PAM. With transmission electron microscopy a polymorphic, excentric nucleus and single membrane-bound cytoplasmic inclusions were demonstrated. The surface properties of PAM were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The aim of the present study was to give account of electron microscopic findings in therapeutic and diagnostic bronchial lavage.

[Gas analysis and pH-measurements in pleural effusions (author's transl)]. / Gasanalyse und pH-Messung i Pleuraergüssen.

Gas analysis and pH-measurements were carried out in 57 pleural effusions. High pCO2 and low pH values were found in effusions of pleuritis tuberculosa and chronic pleuracarcinosis, whilst alkalosis was commonly found in the rest of the cases reviewed.