Case 853 -- A woman in her 70s with a double lung transplant

Contributed by Kate M. Serdy, MD and Sanja Dacic, MD, PhD


CLINICAL HISTORY

The patient is a woman in her seventies who began experiencing exertional dyspnea ten years ago. Since her initial presentation, her dyspnea has become progressively more severe, with supplemental oxygen requirements reaching 12 liters at rest and up to 18 liters with activity. She is admitted for a double lung transplant.

RADIOLOGIC STUDIES

A chest radiograph showed diffuse micronodularity, some of which is calcified, involving all lobes of both lungs (Figure 1)

CT showed diffuse ground glass airspace opacity with nodular interstitial thickening and diffuse punctate parenchymal calcifications (Figure 2).

GROSS EXAMINATION

Both lungs were heavy (right: 1401g, left: 1108g) and showed red-tan, rock-hard parenchyma with diffuse grittiness (Figures 3 and 4). Calcifications were most prominent basally and around hilum. Lymph nodes were normal in size.

MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION

Histologic examination showed intraalveolar numerous lamellated calcifications. The alveolar septa showed fibrosis. Foci of metaplastic ossification were also seen (Figures 5, 6, 7).

FINAL DIAGNOSIS


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