Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis at female patient

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare, autosomal recessive disease characterized by intra alveolar accumulation of spherical calcified calcium-phosphate crystals in the absence of calcium metabolism disorder. Most patients are asymptomatic, and the disease is discovered incidentally during a preventive examination. Symptoms appear most often in the 3rd-4th decade of life, but in general it is found in almost any age group. The youngest patient is an 8-month-old baby. Intra alveolar lamellar microlithiasis calcium deposits are found, most in the bases of the lung, and subsequently upwards towards the middle lobes. In the initial stage, deposits are in the middle of the alveolar space and do not interfere with air exchange. But in the last stages, the entire alveolar space is covered. The calcification itself begins to press the alveolar wall and damages it, leading to the formation of fibrous tissue.

Keywords: Pulmonary, microlithiasis, disease, asymptomatic, pulmonology