title: All that wheezes is not asthma--broncholithiasis, a forgotten disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Asthma is a common condition seen by medical practitioners. However, 'all that wheezes is not asthma', is an important adage not to be forgotten. We report a case of broncholithiasis which was initially misdiagnosed as asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 81-year-old female presented with cough and intermittent wheezing associated with one episode of haemoptysis. Chest radiograph and CT thorax were suggestive of broncholithiasis. This was confirmed by flexible bronchoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The broncholith was successfully extracted using flexible bronchoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient had complete resolution of symptoms post procedure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Physicians should always entertain other differential diagnoses which may mimic asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608. gm31sy@sgh.com.sg
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed