Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (A case report)

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare chronic pulmonary disease characterized by extensive intraalveolar deposition of small calcified nodules. Approximately 225 cases were reported worldwide. One quarter of these cases were from Turkey. A typical sand-like micronodular pattern throughout both lungs is usully seen on chest radiogram of PAM patients. Consequently, most of them were misdiagnosed as miliary tuberculosis. Progression is slox and restrictive type pulmonary function abnormalities develop eventually. Herein, this a 21-year-old female pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis case is peresented to contribute to determine the real frequency of thes disease in our country.