Lung transplantation in an intensive care patient with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis - a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by the deposition of phosphate and calcium in the alveoli. The disease progresses asymptomatically until later stages. When it becomes symptomatic, lung transplantations performed before the onset of right heart failure may improve life expectancy and quality. Here we present a case report concerning the very first Turkish PAM patient to have undergone lung transplantation surgery. Patient information: A 52 year-old female, Caucasian patient, already diagnosed with PAM in infancy, was admitted to the intensive care unit, diagnosed with pneumonia and hospitalized for 20 days. We decided to refer the patient to a specialized center for lung transplantation. Bilateral lung transplantation was performed in Vienna 14 months later and no recurrence was observed during the first postoperative year. Conclusion: Bilateral lung transplantation may improve both the life expectancy and the quality of life of PAM diagnosed patients with severe respiratory failure who do not suffer from right heart failure. The risk of recurrence should not be considered as a justifying reason to avoid transplantation as a treatment method.