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Updated: Jul 10, 2026
Imaging Features of Systemic Sclerosis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Published on: June 16, 2020
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis: high-resolution computed tomography findings in 10 patients
Edson Marchiori1, Carolina Marinho Gonçalves, Dante Luiz Escuissato
1Universidade Federal Fluminense - UFF, Fluminense Federal University - Niterói (RJ) Brazil. edmarchiori@bol.com.br
Objective:
To present the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis.
Methods:
The HRCT scans of 10 adult patients (seven females and three males; mean age, 38.7 years) were retrospectively analyzed. The films were studied independently by two radiologists.
Results:
The most common tomographic findings were ground-glass attenuation and linear subpleural calcifications, which were seen in 90% of the patients. Other relevant findings were small parenchymal nodules, calcification along the interlobular septa, nodular cissures, subpleural nodules, subpleural cysts, dense consolidations, and a mosaic pattern of attenuation.
Conclusions:
The HRCT findings presented by individuals with pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis are distinct. In most cases, such findings can form the basis of the diagnosis, eliminating the need to perform a lung biopsy.
