Capillary hemangioma of the lung.

Cavernous hemangioma of the lung synonymous with arteriovenous fistula or aneurysm of the lung is generally considered to be a congenital abnormality. According to Lindskog and Liebow,1 at least 60 cases are in the literature. Roentgenologically, cavernous hemangioma has the appearance of a lobular shadow of increased density continuous with hilar vascular shadows. Clinically it is usually associated with polycythemia, cyanosis, clubbing of the fingers and dyspnea. A diagnosis is ordinarily made preoperatively and the indications for surgical excision are hemoptysis or dyspnea and, in the asymptomatic patient, the prevention of serious vascular complications. As distinguished from cavernous hemangioma, capillary hemangioma of the lung presenting itself as a “coin” lesion and unaccompanied by any of the findings characteristic of cavernous hem ngioma is an extremely rare lesion.2’ The Chest Tumor Registry of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology4 has in its files only a few true capillary hemangiomas of the lung. Textbooks on pathology and thoracic surgery make no