Description
See also L75
These are portions of the right lung. On the pleural surface there are adhesions of varying thickness;
in some parts the parietal pleura is present as well. The pleural surface shows a number of white
nodules up to 1cm in diameter; the cut surface shows extensive tuberculous involvement of all
lobes. In the middle and lower lobes, there is little cavitation, but there is extensive cavitation in
the upper lobe. The lower lobe, in particular, shows consolidation in addition to the caseous areas,
and it is likely that the consolidated areas are areas of tuberculous bronchopneumonia.
History
This man, apparently young, was admitted to Wellington Hospital from a Japanese
fishing vessel, and he died shortly after admission. At autopsy there were numerous purpuric spots
on both legs. The right lung weighed 1290g and the left 1000g. Numerous acid-fast bacilli were
present in the lesions, and there was also tuberculous bronchopneumonia. The liver weighed
1100g, and showed a micro-nodular cirrhosis. Microscopicallythe liver was fatty and showed
alcoholic (Mallory’s) hyaline. Death was ascribed to gram-negative septicaemia and shock, but no
other clinical details are available.