Computed tomographic and pathological findings in pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare condition characterised by widespread intra-alveolar calcification. Although the clinical and radiological features have been well described (Sosman et al, 1957), there are few reports of the computed tomographic appearances (Winzelberg et al, 1984). We report the CT and pathological findings in a patient with the typical plainradiographic features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. A male Pakistani patient was first seen in 1962 at the Leeds Chest Clinic aged 13 years. Although he was asymptomatic, a chest radiograph showed the characteristic features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. On presentation for a routine chest radiograph 16 years later he remained symptomfree. Over the next 5 years he developed progressive shortness of breath which became increasingly severe during the 2 months prior to admission. By then there was evidence of finger clubbing, weight loss and bilateral basal crepitations. His admission radiograph showed widespread, almost confl...