All that wheezes is not asthma--broncholithiasis, a forgotten disease.

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is a common condition seen by medical practitioners. However, 'all that wheezes is not asthma', is an important adage not to be forgotten. We report a case of broncholithiasis which was initially misdiagnosed as asthma.

CLINICAL PICTURE: An 81-year-old female presented with cough and intermittent wheezing associated with one episode of haemoptysis. Chest radiograph and CT thorax were suggestive of broncholithiasis. This was confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy.

TREATMENT: The broncholith was successfully extracted using flexible bronchoscopy.

OUTCOME: The patient had complete resolution of symptoms post procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should always entertain other differential diagnoses which may mimic asthma.