Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in a 7-year-old female Boxer dog
By Ana Canadas Sousa et al.·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2020·Department of Molecular Pathology and Immunology, Veterinary Pathology Laboratory, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar - University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), GB·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Clinicopathological and imaging features of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in a dog – a case report
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old female Boxer was brought to the vet for sudden episodes of losing muscle tone and consciousness, which caused concern for seizures or other serious conditions. After thorough testing, including blood work and imaging, the vet found unusual calcifications in the dog's lungs that looked like a sandstorm on X-rays. A CT scan confirmed the presence of numerous mineralized deposits in the lungs, leading to a diagnosis of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM), a rare lung condition. Unfortunately, the dog passed away, and the diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy.
People also search for: Boxer dog loss of consciousness · dog lung disease symptoms · pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in dogs
Abstract
Abstract Background The aetiology of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) in animals is still unknown. In humans, this pulmonary disorder is a rare autosomal recessive disorder triggered by a mutation in the gene SLC34A2, which causes deposition and aggregation of calcium and phosphate in the pulmonary parenchyma with formation of microliths. Although histopathological examination is required for a definite diagnosis, in humans, imaging modalities such as computed tomography can demonstrate typical patterns of the disease. This is the first description of the computed tomographic (CT) features of a histologically confirmed PAM in dogs. Case presentation The following report describes a case of a 7-year-old female Boxer dog evaluated for paroxysmal loss of muscle tone and consciousness with excitement. The main differential diagnoses considered were syncope, seizures, and narcolepsy-cataplexy. The results of the complete blood count, serum biochemistry panel, urinalysis, arterial blood pressure, echocardiography, abdominal ultrasound, Holter monitoring, and ECG were all within normal limits. Additional exams included thoracic radiographs, head and thorax CT, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), and CT-guided cytology. Thoracic radiographs revealed micronodular calcifications in the lungs, with sandstorm appearance. Computed tomography of the thorax showed the presence of numerous mineralized high-density agglomerates of multiple sizes throughout the pulmonary parenchyma, a reticular pattern with ground glass opacity and intense mineralized fibrosis of the pleural lining. Head CT was unremarkable. BAL and CT-guided cytology were inconclusive, but imaging features strongly suggest the diagnosis of PAM, which was histologically confirmed after necropsy. Conclusions This case report contributes to the clinicopathological and imaging characterization of pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis in dogs. In this species, the diagnosis of PAM should be considered when CT features evidence a reticular pattern with ground glass opacity and the presence of an elevated number and size of calcifications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-020-02593-z