Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare genetic disorder that causes calcium phosphate microliths to form in the alveoli. Symptoms usually appear in a person's third or fourth decade of life. A definitive diagnosis does not always demand a lung biopsy but can be achieved in families with more than one member with PAM and compatible chest imaging. We present the case of a 47-year-old woman referred to us for shortness of breath. Chest imaging revealed bilateral diffuse ground-glass opacities, interlobar fissure calcification, and subpleural linear calcifications, leading to a diagnosis of PAM. Although there is no specific treatment for this condition, early diagnosis can help prevent it from progressing rapidly by avoiding exposure to risk factors.
Keywords: Alveolar microlithiasis; SLC34A2; calcium phosphate microliths; genetic lung disease.
© The Author(s) 2024.