Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis: literature update

Pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis is an uncommon disease of unknown etiology characterized by the proliferation of abnormal smooth muscle cells in the lungs, leading to parenchymal destruction and progressive respiratory failure. The natural history of this disease remains poorly understood, primarily seen in women of childbearing age. The diagnosis can be difficult because symptoms are nonspecific and very similar to other respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema and bronchitis. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis may not be diagnosed until a pneumothorax, chylothorax, interstitial lung disease or angiomyolipomas are discovered. The recent advances in genetic and molecular research provide new hope to discover the intricate mechanism of disease and evaluate new therapies. Internists, primary care physicians and pulmonologists should be aware of this condition in order to avoid delay in the diagnosis and institute appropriate therapy. The clinical features, pathophysiology, molecular genetics and medical treatment will be reviewed.