Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in childhood: clinical and radiological follow-up.

This report describes a case of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis that was diagnosed in an 8.5-year-old girl by high-resolution computed tomography (CT) and open lung biopsy. Presence of symptoms (productive cough, fever), their periodic occurrence (lasting up to 1 week), and comparatively long asymptomatic periods should be emphasized. Despite extensive X-ray abnormalities, tests of pulmonary interstitium involvement and exercise tests revealed normal results. A therapeutic regimen, including disodium etidronate, was administered for 18 months with no significant clinical or radiological improvement. Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.