[Early stage pulmonary alveolar proteinosis detected by chest CT scan in a medical examination]

Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi. 2007 Mar;45(3):277-81.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

We report a case of pulmonary proteinosis detected at an early stage and followed up on chest CT. A 49-year-old man underwent detailed examinations because of abnormal shadows on chest CT taken on a routine medical examination. The chest CT revealed almost symmetrical ground glass opacities (GGOs) in both lungs with thickened alveolar septa. We could not make a definitive diagnosis even with bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy, but after about half a year, the GGOs increased. VATS-biopsy demonstrated alveoli filled with PAS-positive granular materials, and we made a diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis. This case was found at an early stage and we were then able to follow up the disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiphasic Screening*
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis / pathology
  • Pulmonary Alveoli / pathology*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*