[Broncholithiasis]

Abstract

Eight cases of broncholithiasis requiring surgical treatment are reported, and diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties of this affection discussed. Clinical symptomatology is not very specific and associates slight or moderate hemoptyses with signs of a febrile pulmonary disorder. Expectoration of a broncholith was not observed in these cases. Radiological images were suggestive by demonstrating hilar and/or peripheral calcifications, often with a parenchymatous opacity in the same region. Fibroscopy is not always conclusive and may even suggest the presence of a tumor. A tuberculous etiology is admitted in France in spite of the absence of bacilli in the sputum. Differential diagnosis from cancer is a real problem, this explaining why two pneumonectomies were performed, in addition to the six lobectomies.