Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

Alternative names:

alveolar proteinosis

Symptoms:

• cough
• weight loss
• fatigue
• shortness of breath
• nail abnormalities

Note: There may be no symptoms.

Signs and tests:

Physical examination may reveal clubbing of fingers as a result of decreased oxygen (the ends of the fingers become thick). There may be a bluish coloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen.

• A chest X-ray may show shadows similar to pulmonary edema.
• An arterial blood gases reveals low oxygen levels in the blood.
• A lung biopsy shows alveolar proteinosis.
• Bronchoscopy with transtracheal biopsy shows alveolar proteinosis.