The Korean Journal of Cytopathology (대한세포병리학회지)

The Korean Society for Cytopathology (대한세포병리학회)
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Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis - A Case Report with Diagnostic Features in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Specimen -

폐포 단백증의 세포학적 소견 - 1예 보고 -

  • Ha, Seung-Yeon (Department of Pathology, Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center) ;
  • Cho, Hyun-I (Department of Pathology, Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center) ;
  • Oh, Young-Ha (Department of Pathology, Gachon Medical School, Gil Medical Center)
  • 하승연 (가천의과대학교 길병원 해부병리과) ;
  • 조현이 (가천의과대학교 길병원 해부병리과) ;
  • 오영하 (가천의과대학교 길병원 해부병리과)
  • Published : 2000.12.30
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Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis(PAP) is a rare disease in which the alveolar spaces are filled with an eosinophilic, PAS-positive material, whereas the interstitial architecture of the lung usually remains unaffected. Although a definitive diagnosis is usually made by an open lung biopsy, bronchoalveolar lavage(BAL) cytology may play a decisive role in the diagnosis and therapy of these patients and may spare a patient a more invasive diagnostic procedure. The author presents a patient in whom BAL cytology specimen contained the characteristic globules of amorphous proteinaceous PAS-positive material accompanied by background of rare macrophages and inflammatory cells. Ultrastructural study using BAL specimen can confirm the diagnosis of PAP.

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