IDIOPATHIC PULMONARY ALVEOLAR MICROLITHIASIS
- 1 October 1961
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Pediatrics
- Vol. 28 (4) , 650-654
- https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.28.4.650
Abstract
An asymptomatic case of idiopathic pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in a child is described, with an 8-year follow-up. A review of the world literature indicates that this is an uncommon, often familial, disease, occurring in males and females equally. It is characterized by extensive alveolar calculi and can easily be suspected from the appearance of a roentgenogram of the lungs. When the disease is discovered the symptoms are usually absent to minimal, in contrast to the apparently severe involvement of the lung. Probably the majority of the patients develop the disease during childhood. The usual course is slow progression, terminating in cardiopulmonary failure during middle age. The etiology remains obscure, and there is no known treatment.Keywords
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