Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis and probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy

J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol. 2013 Apr;20(2):159-63. doi: 10.1097/LBR.0b013e31828abc03.

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare disease in which calcium-phosphate microliths accumulate within the alveolar space. We report cases of 2 siblings with PAM, presenting differently as regards the distribution and clinical severity. Immune cytologic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage showed a CD4 alveolitis in the radiologically most affected patient, whereas the least affected had a normal bronchoalveolar lavage analysis, demonstrating the low specificity of immune cytologic lavage analysis in diagnosing familial PAM. For the first time, we describe the endoscopic findings using a probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchoscopy*
  • Calcinosis / pathology*
  • Female
  • Genetic Diseases, Inborn / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / pathology*
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods

Supplementary concepts

  • Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis