Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis [PAP] - a rare entity

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis [PAP] is a rare disorder characterized by intra-alveolar accumulation of lipoproteinaceous material and cellular debris. We report a case of 48 years old male who presented with 3 months history of severe dyspnea, productive cough, chest pain and weight loss. His pulmonary function tests revealed severe restrictive lung disease. A Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery [VATS] lung biopsy was taken and the specimen was sent to the Histopathology department of Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. On the basis of morphological features it was diagnosed as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis