Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Sandstorm Appearance of Pulmonary Alveolar Microlithiasis Incidentally Detected in a Young, Asymptomatic Male

  • Ch'ng, Li Shyan (Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center) ;
  • Bux, Shaik Ismail (Department of Biomedical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center) ;
  • Liam, Chong Kin (Department of Medical, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center) ;
  • Rahman, Nazarina Abdul (Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center) ;
  • Ho, Choon Yan (Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University Malaya Medical Center)
  • Received : 2012.12.12
  • Accepted : 2013.06.27
  • Published : 2013.09.01
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Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare chronic disease with paucity of symptoms in contrast to the imaging findings. We present a case of a 24-year-old Malay man having an incidental abnormal pre-employment chest radiograph of dense micronodular opacities giving the classical "sandstorm" appearance. High-resolution computed tomography of the lungs showed microcalcifications with subpleural cystic changes. Open lung biopsy showed calcospherites within the alveolar spaces. The radiological and histopathological findings were characteristic of PAM.

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References

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