title: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in a patient with rheumatic valvular heart disease.
abstract: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease characterized by widespread intra-alveolar calcification of both lungs that is asymptomatic in the early stages. The disease typically follows a protracted course, and death can occur in 5 to 41 years after the initial diagnosis. Rheumatic fever is a multisystemic inflammatory disease that afflicts the child and juvenile population, and it is still very common in developing countries. Valve failure is the condition most linked to increased morbidity and mortality rates in this population and is the most severe complication of rheumatic fever, with consequent onset of chronic heart valve disease. We present a case of a female patient with a potential diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis with concurrent rheumatic valvular disease.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pneumology, University Hospital of Rio--Patras, Patras, Greece.
authors: Fotis
authors: F
authors: Sampsonas
authors: Kiriakos
authors: K
authors: Karkoulias
authors: Alexandros
authors: A
authors: Kaparianos
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Tsiamita
authors: Kostas
authors: K
authors: Spiropoulos
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011859:Radiography; D012214:Rheumatic Heart Disease / Q000150:complications*