Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis : A Case Report with Emphasis on Imaging Findings

Abstract EN

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease characterized by the presence of small calculi in the alveolar space.

The authors report a case of a 21-year-old man with a 2-year 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.

A transbronchial lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of PAM.