PATHOLOGY OF THE VESSELS OF THE PULMONARY CIRCULATION

Abstract

TUBERCULOSIS OF THE PULMONARY VESSELS Tuberculosis of the pulmonary vessels is probably always present in cases of phthisis. The process affects successively the adventitia, media and intima of vessels in the walls of tuberculous cavities. The wall of the vessel may bulge, giving rise to the aneurysms of Rasmussen, which may burst and cause severe hemoptysis. Usually this is prevented by the occurrence of thrombosis. The erosion of a caseous gland into a pulmonary vein and the discharge of its contents into the lumen constitute a well known cause of miliary tuberculosis. Occasionally, isolated tuberculous vegetations occur in the intima of large pulmonary arteries and veins.^x In the present series pulmonary tuberculosis was present in 6 patients and all showed tuberculosis of the pulmonary vessels. Arteries and veins of all sizes were affected, but involvement of the small vessels was commonest. 1. LARGE ELASTIC ARTERIES In a woman of