Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis is a rare disorder characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant phospholipids and protein components. The symptoms and prognosis are extremely variable. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and/or transbronchial lung biopsy are useful for diagnosis; surgical lung biopsy is often unnecessary but useful in the focal involvement. We report a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in a 50-year-old woman, confirmed by a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery biopsy from the initial focal involvement, with normal bronchoalveolar lavage and transbronchial lung biopsy findings.
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