Alveolar Proteinosis in COVID-19: Clinical Case.
Silvia Martin BoteMaria Angeles Herrera MoruecoBeatriz Arias ArcosJavier García LopezMaria Belen Lopez-Muñiz BallesterosPublished in: Case reports in pulmonology (2022)
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare, diffuse lung disease characterized by accumulation of lipoprotein in lung surfactant in the alveolar space and terminal bronchioles, leading to impaired gas exchange and arterial hypoxemia. We present the case of a 51-year-old woman who was admitted with a diagnosis of severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Her condition did not improve with corticosteroids. A chest CT scan revealed ground-glass opacities in all lung lobes, with septal thickening. A differential diagnosis was proposed with other diseases. Bronchoscopy revealed milky bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and staining with periodic acid-Schiff was positive, thus indicating PAP. Therefore, the patient underwent whole lung lavage, which led to clinical, radiological, and functional improvement. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, differential diagnosis ensures that appropriate attention is given to less prevalent entities such as PAP.
Keyphrases
- sars cov
- computed tomography
- coronavirus disease
- single cell
- respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- pulmonary hypertension
- working memory
- magnetic resonance imaging
- case report
- room temperature
- heart failure
- contrast enhanced
- magnetic resonance
- intensive care unit
- carbon dioxide
- respiratory failure
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- mechanical ventilation
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- community acquired pneumonia