A Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis.

Lee, Bu Hyun; Kang, Byung Soo; Min, Joo Won; Park, Sang Joon; Kim, Tae Ho; Chung, Jae Ho; Park, Chan Sub

doi:2011.71.1.55

Tuberc Respir Dis > Volume 71(1); 2011 > Article

Case Report

Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases 2011;71(1):55-58.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2011.71.1.55 Published online July 1, 2011.

A Case of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis.

Bu Hyun Lee, Byung Soo Kang, Joo Won Min, Sang Joon Park, Tae Ho Kim, Jae Ho Chung, Chan Sub Park

¹Department of Internal Medicine, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea. pulmochung@kwandong.ac.kr
²Department of Radiology, Myongji Hospital, Kwandong University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown etiology that is characterized by the presence of calcific concentrations in the alveolar spaces. The radiographic appearance is pathognomonic. Plain chest radiographs show a white lung or sandstorm lung consisting of fine sand like microcalcifications diffusely scattered throughout both lungs with a higher density at the lung bases. We now report the case of a 67-year-old male whose diagnosis was based on characteristic findings on a chest X-ray and a high-resolution computed tomography scan.

Key Words: Calculi, Pulmonary Alveoli