[Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis - a case report]

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease of unknown origin, where an amorphous lipoprotein material accumulates in the alveoli of the lungs. We describe a young male with a four month history of progressive dyspnea, low grade fever, hypoxemia and weight loss. Chest X-ray showed diffuse interstitial and alveolar infiltrates in both lungs. The diagnosis of PAP was confirmed with trans-bronchial lung biopsy. Because of a deteriorating clinical course a whole lung lavage was performed. Under general anesthesia, both lungs were lavaged with warm saline in two different sessions with good results. Two years later the patient is almost free of symptoms and lung function has markedly improved.