Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare, inherited disorder of lung phosphate balance that is associated with small stone formation in the airspaces of the lung. in the gene SLC34A2 result in loss of a key sodium, phosphate co-transporter, known to be expressed in alveolar type II cells, as well as in the mammary gland, and to a lesser extent in , kidney, skin, prostate and testes. As the disease progresses, the lung fields become progressively more dense (white) on the chest xray, and low oxygen level, lung and , elevated pressures in the lung blood , and failure ensue, usually in middle age. The course of PAM can be highly variable, with some patients remaining for decades, and others progressing more rapidly. There is no effective treatment, and the mechanisms of stone formation, inflammation and scarring are not known.
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