Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
November 28, 2012: This chapter has been re-evaluated and remains up-to-date. No changes have been necessary.
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis is caused by mutations of the type IIb sodium phosphate cotransporter gene, which by an unknown mechanism leads to the accretion of calcified microliths in the lungs. Almost invariably the patient is symptom free when the diagnosis is made after a chest radiograph is taken incidentally (or during family screening) and reveals profuse small calcified nodules. Patients usually survive 10–20 years from diagnosis, lung transplantation being the only effective treatment in severe cases.
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