A chest X-ray may show shadows similar to pulmonary edema . An arterial blood gases reveals low oxygen levels in the blood. A lung biopsy shows alveolar proteinosis. Bronchoscopy with transtracheal biopsy shows alveolar proteinosis. Treatment consist of periodic whole-lung lavage, a washing out of the phospholipids from the lung.
Spontaneous remission occurs in some, while progressive respiratory failure develops in others.
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