Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: Blizzard of lung

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare inherited disorder in which patients present with either nonspecific signs and symptoms or are asymptomatic. Clinical-radiological dissociation is a commonly seen feature of the disease. Majority of cases are diagnosed in second and third decade of...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Richa Mittal, Rohit Kumar, Juvva Kishan Srikanth, Siddharth Raj Yadav, Ravi Chandak, Shibdas Chakrabarti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: PAGEPress Publications 2021-06-01
Series:Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease
Subjects:
Online Access:https://monaldi-archives.org/index.php/macd/article/view/1709
Description
Summary:Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare inherited disorder in which patients present with either nonspecific signs and symptoms or are asymptomatic. Clinical-radiological dissociation is a commonly seen feature of the disease. Majority of cases are diagnosed in second and third decade of life, although presentation in paediatric and elderly population is also reported. Pathognomonic radiological findings, with normal calcium and phosphate levels can confirm the diagnosis without the need of further investigations in large number of cases. A high index of suspicion and knowledge of the disease is of paramount importance as it has a wide range of presentation and variable course thus posing a diagnostic challenge. We present two cases of this rare disease in elderly females with distinct presentations although with similar and characteristic radiological findings along with a brief review of literature of the disease.
ISSN:1122-0643
2532-5264