title: Bilateral micronodular pulmonary infiltrate: is it important to make a histological diagnosis?
abstract: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease characterized by the deposition of calcium phosphate within the alveoli. We report the case of a 20-year-old man with a 6-week history of cough and shortness of breath on exertion. The chest radiograph demonstrated a bilateral symmetrical micronodular pattern. High-resolution computed tomography revealed bilateral diffuse fine nodular shadowing involving the mid zones, with sparing of the apices. The patient underwent a transbronchial lung biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway, Ireland. drkhan95@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Kashif Ali
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Gilmartin
mesh_terms: D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002130:Calcium Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology*; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002130:Calcium Phosphates