Abstract

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown etiology and is characterized by the deposition of calcium within the alveolar airspaces. In this paper we present a 40 year old case with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. The case was admitted with dyspnea and swelling of his feet. On chest radiography there were homogenous, hyperdense lesions in both hemithorax. On computerized tomography, parenchyma of both lungs were diffusely homogenous and hyperdense. There were right atrial dilatation and pericardial fluid on echocardiography. The pulmonary artery systolic pressure was 68 mmHg. The case was diagnosed as pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis. There was no response to invasive mechanical ventilation. The patient died at the 29th hour of hospitalization. The diagnosis was confirmed by postmortem biopsy. (Tur Toraks Der 2008;9:174-6)