title: [Clinicopathologic analysis of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM).
  
  
  METHODS
  By means of HE and immunohistochemistry (SP method) studies, the clinical and pathological features of 5 PLAM cases were analyzed and the related literature reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PLAM was a rare lung disease of unknown etiology and was restricted to females who were generally pre-menopausal. Pathological features showed abnormal smooth muscle cells (LAM cells) line the airways, lymphatics and blood vesssels leading to airflow obstruction and replacement of the lung parenchyma by cysts. LAM cells were positive for HMB45. Clinically the disease was categorized by dyspnoea, haemoptysis, recurrent pneumothoraces and chylous effusions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PLAM should be considered when recurrent pneumothorax, haemoptysis and dyspnoea occur in females. Pathologic examination of lung tissue biopsy is required for confirmation of PLAM diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100020, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Song-Lin
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Xiao-Nai
authors.initials: XN
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Hong-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008168:Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D018192:Lymphangioleiomyomatosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat