title: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in childhood: clinical and radiological follow-up.
abstract: This report describes a case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis that was diagnosed in an 8.5-year-old girl by high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and open lung biopsy. Presence of symptoms (productive cough, fever), their periodic occurrence (lasting up to 1 week), and comparatively long asymptomatic periods should be emphasized. Despite extensive X-ray abnormalities, tests of pulmonary interstitium involvement and exercise tests revealed normal results. A therapeutic regimen, including disodium etidronate, was administered for 18 months with no significant clinical or radiological improvement.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D012968:Etidronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D017563:Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D012968:Etidronic Acid