Presentation
Shortness of breath.
Patient Data
Normal lung volumes with diffusely increased lung markings, but no focal consolidation or pleural effusion. Cardiac silhouette normal in size.
Innumerable thin walled cysts nearly replacing normal lung. The cysts are fairly uniform in size and distribution.
Case Discussion
Advance cystic lung disease in a woman of this age will most likely progress to respiratory failure. Although the appearances are characteristic of lymphangioleiomyomatosis the absence of associated findings means that a definitive diagnosis cannot be reached, and this is essential prior to treatment.
Be sure to look for associated abnormalities and complications (not present in this case) like pneumothorax, chylous effusions and renal angiomyolipomata.