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High resolution computed tomographic features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
Omer Deniz1, Fatih Ors, Ergun Tozkoparan
1Pulmonary Medicine and Tuberculosis, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Etlik, Ankara 06018, Turkey. odeniz@gata.edu.tr
European Journal of Radiology
|September 1, 2005
Summary
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) patients show varied interstitial lung disease on HRCT, with micro nodules (MN) correlating with parenchymal alterations and lung function loss.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pulmonology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare, chronic lung disease with an unpredictable clinical course.
- High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) can reveal parenchymal alterations, but findings in PAM are not fully described.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe HRCT findings in Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM).
- To investigate the correlation between micro nodule (MN) profusion and parenchymal alterations in PAM patients.
Main Methods:
- Ten male patients with PAM underwent HRCT.
- Lung abnormalities were assessed for patterns, distribution, and profusion, with scoring for micro nodules (MN) and parenchymal alterations (PAS).
- Chest X-rays and pulmonary function tests (PFTs) were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- All patients exhibited interstitial lung disease findings on HRCT, including micro nodules (MN), parenchymal bands (PB), and ground glass opacity (GGO).
- Significant correlations were found between MN scores and PAS, GGO, and centrilobular emphysema (CLA).
- HRCT scores correlated significantly with PFTs and chest X-ray scores (CXRS).
Conclusions:
- HRCT in PAM patients reveals diverse interstitial lung disease findings, notably micro nodules (MN).
- A proportional relationship exists between micro nodule (MN) profusion and parenchymal alterations in PAM.
- The extent of parenchymal alterations correlates with pulmonary function loss in PAM patients.