Serial bronchoscopic lung lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis under local anesthesia

Abstract

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease, characterized by alveolar accumulation of surfactant composed of proteins and lipids due to defective surfactant clearance by alveolar macrophages. Mainstay of treatment is whole lung lavage, which requires general anesthesia. Herein, we report a case of primary PAP, successfully treated with serial bronchoscopic lung lavages under local anesthesia.

Keywords

• Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
• transbronchial lung biopsy
• whole lung lavage