Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (disease in 2 siblings--case report)
Liebetrau, G.; Assmann, H.; Reiss-Zimmermann, G.U.; Aerisch, F.; Pielesch, W.
Pneumologie 43(8): 464-468
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0934-8387 PMID: 2771904 Document Number: 329244
This article presents case reports on brother and sister suffering from microlithiasis alveolaris pulmonum. Diagnosis was established by means of the course of the disease, the relatively typical x-ray film and the findings on performing scintigraphy of the skeleton and also by computed tomography. Findings confirmed that the course of the disease is symptom-free for a long time; that it occurs in both sexes; and that it becomes manifest with considerable incidence in some families. Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is not a generalised metabolic disease, since it affects the lungs only. If the aetiology remains unclear, no causal treatment can be effected.