[Alveolar proteinosis: report of 4 cases]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disease characterized by the filling of the alveolar spaces of the lung by a PAS-positive lipoproteinaceous material. Despite the clear characterization of this material, the etiopathogenesis of the disease remains obscure. We present four patients who were admitted in our Department over the last seven years. The diagnosis was confirmed by lung biopsy in all cases. Three patients improved after bronchoalveolar lavage. Spontaneous remission was observed in one case.