<unk>  is usually diagnosed on the basis of a typical radiological pattern, namely a very fine, sand-like micronodulation of calcific density diffusely involving both lungs, with basal predominance. Many authors argue that this pattern precludes the need for a lung biopsy in most cases. After<unk>  is diagnosed in a given patient, family members should be screened by chest radiography, and parents should be counseled that future children are also at risk of developing the disease. Radiology Chest radiographs of patients with<unk>  usually reveal bilateral diffuse micronodular calcifications, producing a "sandstorm” appearance that first involves the inferior portions and then the middle and upper portions of the lungs. High-resolution computed tomography The most common findings on HRCT are diffuse hyperdense ground-glass attenuation and subpleural linear calcifications, often most predominant in the inferior and posterior portions of the lungs. Additionally, the medial aspects of the lungs appear to be more heavily involved than the lateral aspects. Ground-glass opacities, probably due to small calculi in the air space, are the most common finding in children and in patients with early-stage<unk> . Magnetic resonance imaging On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the calcific lesions usually show hypointensity or a signal void on T1- and T2-weighted images.<unk>  function studies<unk>  function tests, arterial blood gases, ventilation perfusion relationships, and O2 diffusing capacity are normal in the initial stages of<unk> . As the disease progresses,<unk>  function tests reveal typical features of a restrictive defect with reduced forced vital capacity (FVC) and elevated forced expiratory volume in FEV1/FVC.
Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis
Pulmonary interstitial emphysema
Pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma
Granulomatous–lymphocytic interstitial lung disease
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Focal lung pneumatosis
Usual interstitial pneumonia
Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia