Abstract
The removal by bronchoalveolar lavage (2 occasions) of 1011 black macrophages containing crystals of aluminum silicate, large amounts of amorphous carbon, and oxidized lipids was followed by considerable improvement in gas exchange in a patient. 68% of these pulmonary macrophages were viable and normal, as judged by chemotactic and phagocytic activity. Except for cigarettes, no source for the previously mentioned ingested foreign substances was found. These observations suggest that removal by lavage of nonviable macrophages laden with foreign bodies from distal portions of the lungs of pulmonary patients may be therapeutically useful.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 483-488 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Unknown Journal |
Volume | 72 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1977 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
- Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine