[Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in 2 brothers]

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is a rare disease of unknown cause and pathogenesis, where the pathological substrate is composed of calcium microconcrements inside the alveoli. The lungs are endured with deterioration of respiratory mechanics, ventilation and perfusion disorders and finally pulmonary hypertension and chronic cor pulmonale. The disease follows a slow course extending approximately over 20 years. The authors present two cases of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis affecting two brothers aged 14 and 19 years respectively. Radiographic findings were typical and impressive. Lung changes were discovered on recruitment in the elder brother and on examination of family members in the younger brother. Both has no complaint and normal respiratory findings. The histopathological diagnosis was made from a sample obtained by bronchoscopic-parabronchial lung biopsy. This report is completed with data from the literature.