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Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in pediatric patients — review of the world literature and two new observations

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Abstract

Report of two new pediatric cases of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM). PAM is a rare disease of unknown etiology; not more than 38 cases have been reported aged less than 18 years. The essential features of this disease are (1) a characteristic radiographic appearance of a sand-like opacity of both lungs and linear densities like “beads on a string» along the heart, pleura and interlobar fissures; this is best visualized by fluoroscopy in combination with magnification technique; (2) extremely few clinical signs and almost no laboratory abnormalities.

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Volle, E., Kaufmann, H.J. Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in pediatric patients — review of the world literature and two new observations. Pediatr Radiol 17, 439–442 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02388272

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