1. Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: A single center retrospective analysis of 14 cases.
- Author
-
Zhang N, Jiang Z, and Shao C
- Subjects
- Adult, Bronchoalveolar Lavage, Bronchoscopy, Humans, Lung, Retrospective Studies, Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis diagnosis, Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis therapy
- Abstract
Introduction: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease, characterized by abnormal alveolar accumulation of enlarged foamy macrophages and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive materials. Knowledge of the disease characteristics is still lacking., Objective: To help clinicians gain a better understanding of this rare disease., Methods: We undertook a retrospective analysis of 14 adult patients with PAP, treated in Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University., Results: Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was correlated with the arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO2) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) established a definitive diagnosis for a positive rate of 100%. The patients underwent whole lung lavage (WLL) and exhibited varying degrees of remission. The patients with mild symptoms received only supportive care and observation, and remained stable during follow-up., Conclusion: LDH may correlate with disease severity. Bronchoscopy is sufficiently sensitive for a definite diagnosis. Conventional bilateral whole lung lavage proved a reliable treatment for indicated patients, but selective unilateral lung lavage or observation may be a rational choice in certain patients., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2021
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