Dog with rare lung calcium deposits and pleural cancer

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a rare pulmonary disorder characterized by the accumulation of calcium phosphate microliths within the alveoli, with only a few cases described in animals. A 10-year-old female Bulldog was euthanized due to history of dyspnea and recurrent pleural and pericardial effusions. At necropsy, numerous multifocal to coalescent protruding nodules of 1-5 mm in diameter were scattered throughout the thoracic serosal surfaces. Moreover, lungs showed a diffuse pale gray color and had a generalized fine grainy consistency. Histological investigations revealed abundant intra-alveolar laminated microliths that stained positive with periodic acid-Schiff and von Kossa stains. The pulmonary interstitium showed multifocal, mild to moderate thickening, due to collagen deposition and mild hyperplasia of type 2 pneumocytes. The pulmonary lesion was not associated with any inflammatory response, and mineral deposition was not observed in any other organ or tissue. In addition, pulmonary, pericardial, and pleural surfaces were extensively infiltrated by an epithelioid mesothelioma. Immunohistochemical staining revealed neoplastic cells that strongly coexpressed vimentin and cytokeratin, supporting the diagnosis of mesothelioma. An overview of PAM, including pathogenesis and histological characteristics, are discussed in relation to the concurrent pleural mesothelioma. The potential cause and effect relationship between the 2 conditions could neither be established nor ruled out.