Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare condition that is treated using whole lung lavage. A recent study suggested that granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plays roles in both the pathogenesis and treatment of PAP. We present a 69-year-old man with PAP who deteriorated despite bilateral whole lung lavage; that said, his symptoms, chest X-ray findings, and pulmonary function test improved after GM-CSF inhalation therapy over 12 months. GM-CSF therapy is an effective treatment modality for PAP.
Aged ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Colony-Stimulating Factors ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Lung ; Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Therapy ; Thorax