Severe pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis

Abstract

This case presents a patient with severe pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis, a rare genetic condition affecting the sodium-dependent co-transporter of the type II pneumocytes. As the disease progress, calcium-phosphate microlithiases accumulate within the alveoli. This leads to a severe diffuse interstitial disease with classic sand-like calcifications on chest radiography. Lung transplantation remains the only cure.