Outpatient selected lobar lavage: A novel approach to managing pulmonary alveolar proteinosis

BACKGROUND Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of surfactant components in alveoli, impairing gas exchange. The mainstay of treatment remains whole lung lavage (WLL); however, selected lobar lavage (SLL) using smaller volumes of normal saline has also been described. Due to the marked variability in the severity and natural history of PAP, there is a need for more tailored treatment approaches.