Abstracto

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis - A rare disease

Balbir Malhotra, Dilbag Singh, Amritpal Kaur, Harveen Kaur*, Jasvir Kaur

Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare, chronic lung disease with bilateral intraalveolar calcium and phosphate deposition throughout the lung parenchyma with predominance to lower and midzone. Although, etiology and pathogenesis of PAM is not fully understood, the mutation in SLC34A2 gene that encodes a sodium-phosphate co-transporter in alveolar type II cells resulting in the accumulation and formation of microliths rich in calcium phosphate (due to impaired clearance) are considered to be the cause of the disease. Chest radiograph and highresolution CT of thorax are nearly pathognomonic for diagnosing PAM. HRCT demonstrates diffuse micronodules showing slight perilobular predominance resulting in calcification of interlobular septa. We present a case of 30 years old female diagnosed with this rare disease.