title: Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis.
abstract: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare autosomal recessive condition that is often asymptomatic despite significant changes in chest imaging. Diagnosis is often made when patients become symptomatic in adulthood. There are still no proven treatments, but earlier diagnosis may allow for evaluation of preventative strategies that could improve outcome. It is an important diagnosis to consider in children who have marked radiographic findings with no or very mild symptoms or physical findings. Diagnosis can be made with imaging alone but may necessitate lung biopsy for definitive diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors.forename: Kevan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dell
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Birken
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, Canada M5G 1X8.
authors.forename: Suhail
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Saleh
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000473:pathology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed