Contribution of bronchoalveolar lavage in pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in children

Abstract

Introduction: Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare lung disease in children. The bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) has a diagnostic and a therapeutic role. We describe its benefits in two pediatric PAP cases managed in the Children's hospital of Tunis. Observations: The first patient was three-month-old and the second nine-month-old. The first patient was cured after four therapeutic BAL. Eight therapeutic BAL were performed in the second patient. Conclusion: The only effective treatment for PAP remains the therapeutic BAL, an invasive procedure requiring close multidisciplinary collaboration.