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Coughing up a stone. What to do about broncholithiasis.
1Skiatook Minor Emergency and Family Medicine Center, Oklahoma.
Postgraduate Medicine
|February 15, 1988
Summary
Broncholithiasis, a rare condition involving calcified lymph nodes eroding into airways, often presents with persistent cough and hemoptysis. While complications can occur, the overall prognosis for broncholithiasis is excellent.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Radiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Broncholithiasis is a rare condition often linked to pulmonary infections like tuberculosis and histoplasmosis.
- It involves calcified peribronchial lymph nodes eroding into the tracheobronchial tree.
Observation:
- Lithoptysis (coughing up calcified material) is infrequent despite stone formation.
- Common symptoms include persistent cough, hemoptysis, and obstructive pneumonia signs (fever, chills, purulent sputum).
- Physical examination findings are nonspecific, and radiologic findings are diverse.
Findings:
- Complications can include tracheobronchial or bronchoesophageal fistulas and obstructive pulmonary symptoms.
- Treatment varies from conservative observation to surgical intervention (thoracotomy) for complicated cases.
Implications:
- Early recognition and management are crucial for preventing complications.
- Broncholithiasis generally has an excellent prognosis with appropriate care.