[Broncholithiasis]

Abstract

Introduction: Broncholithiasis is defined as the presence of calcified material in the bronchial lumen. The aim of our work was to study the clinical, radiological and therapeutic aspects of broncholithiasis.

Observations: We report the histories of 6 patients identified over 14 years (1990-2004). They included 4 men and 2 women with an average age of 50 years. A past history of pulmonary tuberculosis was found in 2 cases. The presenting symptom was haemoptysis in 4 patients. Fibreoptic bronchoscopy was performed in all patients and broncholiths were found in two. Thoracic CT scan was performed in 5 patients and in 3 showed hilar and parenchymal calcification, suggesting the diagnosis of broncholithiasis. The diagnosis was confirmed in 2 patients by bronchoscopy, in 2 others by surgical biopsy and in the remaining 2 by the CT appearances. Three patients were operated on: 2 for diagnosis and the third for haemostasis. Pulmonary tuberculosis was discovered in 2 patients, one by culture and the other by surgical biopsy. The outcome was satisfactory in all cases.

Conclusions: Broncholithiasis presents a problem of differential diagnosis from other pulmonary pathologies on account of misleading clinical, endoscopic and radiological features.