A case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. It is characterized by diffuse, innumerable, and minute calculi, called microlithiasis in the alveoli. More than half of reported cases are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. We describe the first case of PAM in Korea. A 19-yr-old man without respiratory symptoms presented with interstitial thickening on the chest radiograph. His chest high resolution CT scan showed diffusely scattered, ill defined tiny micronodules and interstitial thickening. Open lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PAM. He was followed up for 6 months without treatment, and no progression was noticed.
Department of Internal Medicine, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea.
Hyun Wook
HW
Kang
Tae Ok
TO
Kim
In-Jae
IJ
Oh
Yu-Il
YI
Kim
Sung Chul
SC
Lim
Yoo-Duk
YD
Choi
Sang-Yun
SY
Song
Hyun Ju
HJ
Seon
Yong Soo
YS
Kwon
D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011859:Radiography; D056910:Republic of Korea; D055815:Young Adult