Broncholith removal using the YAG laser.
An 85-year-old woman presented with a broncholith in the intermediate bronchus that could not be extracted with either flexible or rigid bronchoscopes. A YAG laser was used to fragment this broncholith so that it could be removed in pieces through a bronchoscope. Chemical composition and morphology of the broncholith were determined. Fragmentation of the large, impacted broncholith with the laser eliminated the necessity for a thoracotomy in this elderly woman.
Miks
V M
VM
Kvale
P A
PA
Riddle
J M
JM
Lewis
J W
JW
D000368:Aged; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002137:Calculi / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D017886:Durapatite; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites / Q000032:analysis; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D017886:Durapatite