Nocardial disease of the lung and its radiological appearance

The relatively rarely occurring nocardial disease is usually found as a complication in patients with neoplasms or immunosuppression. The pathogenesis of nocardial disease in man, its pathological-anatomical effects on various organs and the divenity of its clinical appearance will be discussed. An early definitive diagnosis, possible only by microbiological tests, is very important because of the high degree of lethality due to secondary hematogeneous spread of this disease. However, clinical symptoms and radiological findings together with certain aspects of patient history may give important diagnostic clues. Radiological signs of nocardial infection are demonstrated using several cases proven to have nocardial disease of the lung. Differentialdiagnostic criteria with respect to other infections and neoplastic diseases of the lung are given. (orig.)