[Broncholithiasis].

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.