Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease which is characterized by the presence of small calculi in the alveolar space in both lungs. We report a case of a 20-year-old man with a history of shortness of breath on exertion and dry cough. Physical examination was altered only for crackles at auscultation. Pulmonary function revealed a mild restrictive ventilatory defect and the chest radiograph demonstrated paracardiac confluence of dense micronodular infiltrate. High-resolution CT scan revealed diffuse ground glass attenuation and septal thickening, more pronounced in lower pulmonary regions, with calcifications along the interlobar septa and subpleural regions. Diagnosis of PAM was finally confirmed on transbronchial lung biopsy and histological examination.