Abstract

TABAJ, Gabriela et al. Proteinosis alveolar pulmonar: Una puesta al día. Rev. am. med. respir. [online]. 2014, vol.14, n.3, pp.282-288. ISSN 1852-236X.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder characterized by the accumulation of surfactant lipids and protein in the alveolar spaces, resulting in impairment in gas exchange. The clinical course can be variable, ranging from spontaneous resolution to respiratory failure and death. There are three forms of PAP: congenital, acquired and idiopathic, being the latter the most prevalent form in the adult population. Advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of PAP demonstrate that the idiopathic form is due to antigranulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) antibodies. All the forms of PAP cause macrophage dysfunction leading to accumulation of the proteinaceous material. PAP is characterized by progressive exertional dyspnea and nonproductive cough with hypoxemia. Bilateral infiltrates are typically present on chest radiograph; high-resolution computed tomography reveals diffuse ground-glass opacities and airspace consolidation with interlobular septal thickening in a characteristic “crazy paving” pattern. Although surgical lung biopsy will provide a definitive diagnosis, a combination of typical clinical and imaging features with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive material on bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial biopsies is usually sufficient. The current standard of care is to perform whole lung lavage under anesthesia on these patients to clear the alveolar space to help improving respiratory physiology. Recent studies have demonstrated that GM-CSF (inhalation or subcutaneous) can result in improvement in some patients with idiopathic PAP.

Keywords : Alveolar proteinosis; Whold lung lavage.

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