[Broncholithiasis: clinical experience of three operated cases]

Three patients with broncholithiasis had an operation in our hospital. Patient 1 had no history of tuberculosis. She had the pulmonary stones removed bronchoscopically twice. The stones were composed of inflammatory granulomas. Patient 2 had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Endoscopical removal of the pulmonary stone was not successful. After 6 days, she coughed up a large amount of blood, and the operation was performed. Patient 3 coughed up blood for 10 years. The amount of blood gradually increased and the operation was performed. All three cases had calcification of the hilar lymph nodes. Broncholithiasis appears to be related not only to pulmonary tuberculosis but also to other chronic inflammatory diseases of the lung.