Broncholithiasis

Question 1

What is bronchiolithiasis

Answer 1

= Presence of calculi in the tracheobronchial tree, eroding bronchial wall and an opening into the bronchial lumen.
- characterized by clinical and radiological findings of a calcified lymph node eroding bronchial wall and opening into the bronchial lumen.
- Rare disease, caused by:
1) MTB
2) silicosis
3) cancer
4) fungal infection

Question 2

What is the Sx of bronchiolithiasis

Answer 2

Haemoptysis
Chest pain
Broncholith expectorant
Chronic cough
Fever
Localized wheezing

Question 3

What is the investigation for bronchiolithiasis?

Answer 3

1) CT Thorax
- showed multiple calcified lymph nodes
2)Flex bronchoscopy
- white, solid and sharp-edged lesions in bronchus

Question 4

What is the complications of bronchioliths

Answer 4

bronchus obstruction such as
- hyperinflation,
- atelectasis,
- bronchiectasis
- obstructive pneumonia.
Rarely:
- bronchogenic dissemination of tuberculous lymphadenitis
- lung abscesses secondary to bronchoesophageal and bronchomediastinal fistulas

Question 5

What is the Rx for bronchioliths?

Answer 5

1) bronchoscopic removal, or
2) surgical resection

May cause bleeding if erosion involves vessels.