Sandstorm Appearance of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis Incidentally Detected in a Young, Asymptomatic Male.
10.3348/kjr.2013.14.5.859
- Author:
Li Shyan CH'NG
1
;
Shaik Ismail BUX
;
Chong Kin LIAM
;
Nazarina Abdul RAHMAN
;
Choon Yan HO
Author Information
1. Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. lishyanc@yahoo.com
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis;
High resolution computed tomography;
Calcospherites
- MeSH:
Biopsy;
Calcinosis/*diagnosis/surgery;
Chronic Disease;
Genetic Diseases, Inborn/*diagnosis/surgery;
Humans;
*Incidental Findings;
Lung Diseases/*diagnosis/surgery;
Male;
Pulmonary Alveoli/pathology/radiography;
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted/methods;
Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods;
Young Adult
- From:Korean Journal of Radiology
2013;14(5):859-862
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare chronic disease with paucity of symptoms in contrast to the imaging findings. We present a case of a 24-year-old Malay man having an incidental abnormal pre-employment chest radiograph of dense micronodular opacities giving the classical "sandstorm" appearance. High-resolution computed tomography of the lungs showed microcalcifications with subpleural cystic changes. Open lung biopsy showed calcospherites within the alveolar spaces. The radiological and histopathological findings were characteristic of PAM.
