Asymptomatic clinical course of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis during a 12-year follow-up

Akif Turna, Ali Kılıçgün, Muzaffer Metin, Adnan Sayar, Atilla Gürses

Department of 1st Thoracic Surgery, Yedikule Teaching Hospital for Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, İstanbul

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown cause, characterized by the presence of microliths within the alveoli of the lungs. An eleven-yearold girl presented with growth retardation. She had a history of myoplasty operation for the sternocleidomastoid muscle for torticollis. Findings of physical examination and laboratory investigations were normal. Chest radiography showed multiple nodular infiltrates and open lung biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. Treatment consisted of only observation. During a 12-year follow-up, her clinical status and pulmonary function tests remained unchanged. Her brother also had bilateral alveolar microlithiasis that remained asymptomatic. Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a slowly progressing pulmonary disease with familial occurrence. No specific treatment is available and the need for treatment is yet to be justified.

Keywords : Calculi/diagnosis/pathology; lung diseases/diagnosis/ radiography; respiratory function tests

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