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

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in the pediatric age is a distinctly uncommon disease. It is characterized by the insidious deposition of calcium within the alveoli of both lungs without detectable alterations of the body's calcium and phosphate metabolism. The diagnosis is usually made on routine chest radiographs. Recently we have had the opportunity to evaluate two children with this rare disorder. (orig.)