[Differential diagnosis significance of measuring surfactant phospholipid levels in lung diseases].

The levels of surfactant phospholipid from bronchoalveolar lavage were measured in 70 patients with pulmonary diseases and in 10 apparently healthy individuals. The levels of surfactant phospholipid components were lower in patients with peripheral lung cancer, infiltrative tuberculosis, focal pneumonia, most significant in cancer; differential diagnostic criteria for these diseases are defined.