What is pulmonary Microlithiasis?
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a disorder in which many tiny fragments (microliths) of a compound called calcium phosphate gradually accumulate in the small air sacs (alveoli) located throughout the lungs.
Can there be stone in lungs?
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM), or Harbitz’ syndrome, is a rare lung disease characterized by the presence of innumerable small calculi in the alveoli called microliths or calcospherites [1].
What is pulmonary calcification?
Pulmonary calcification is a common asymptomatic finding, usually discovered on routine chest X-ray or at autopsy. Pulmonary calcifications are caused mainly by two mechanisms: the dystrophic form and the metastatic form (1).
Is dyspnea a symptom of asthma?
Dyspnea, also called shortness of breath, is a tight feeling in your chest where you may not be able to take a deep breath. This is a symptom that can be linked to many different conditions, like asthma, heart failure and lung disease.
Is there a cure for pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis?
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare lung disease with an autosomal recessive trait with mutation of the SLC34A2 gene. Characteristic chest radiograph and CT findings along with lung biopsy confirms the diagnosis. There is no effective medical therapy.
What causes radiographic features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis?
The radiographic features are frequently disproportionate to the clinical symptoms 5. Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is believed to be due to a mutation in the SLC34A2 gene that causes inactivation of a sodium-dependent phosphate cotransporter, which is found mainly in alveolar type II cells.
What are the functions of Type II alveolar cells?
Type II alveolar cells have many important functions in the lung, including the production of pulmonary surfactant, maintenance of fluid balance and composition in the airspace. Phospholipids that make up pulmonary surfactant are broken down by macrophages, releasing phosphate into the alveolar lining fluid.