RESECTION OF THE RIGHT MIDDLE LOBE AND LINGULA FOR MYCOBACTERIAL INFECTION

Background. In a series of 229 patients infected with mycobacterial or ganisms, we noted a specific female phenotype that involves isolated i nfections of the middle lobe and lingula. Methods. Thirteen patients w ere found to have infections of the middle lobe, lingula, or both. All of them were infected with Mycobacterium other then Mycobacterium tub erculosis, all were women, 12 of the 13 were slender, and most had var iable combinations of skeletal abnormalities. All underwent resection of the middle lobe, lingula, or both. Results. There were no operative deaths. Only 2 patients have had reactivation requiring additional an tibiotic therapy. All patients have had a decreased number of pulmonar y infections in the postoperative period. Anatomic findings at operati on included a complete major fissure and at least a partially complete minor fissure with middle lobe resections or an elongated lingula. Co nclusions. Mycobacterial infection of the middle lobe and lingula is p rimarily a disease of asthenic women and is often associated with skel etal abnormalities and complete fissures or an elongated lingula. We r ecommend that surgical intervention be performed early once the condit ion is identified.