Broncholithiasis and lithoptysis associated with silicosis
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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Establishing a Silicosis Rat Model via Exposure of Whole-Body to Respirable Silica
Published on: October 28, 2022
V C S Antão1, G A Pinheiro, J M Jansen
1Reference Center for Occupational Lung Diseases, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. vinicius@uerj.br
Abstract:
A case of broncholithiasis associated with massive silicosis is reported, showing a rare aspect of parenchymal lesions generating broncholiths as well as the presence of recurrent lithoptysis, with subsequent regression of radiological lesions. Aetiological, clinical, physiopathological, and radiological aspects of the disease are discussed, demonstrating the importance of the use of computed tomography in diagnosis. The mineralogical analysis of expectorated fragments is also shown.
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