All that wheezes is not asthma--broncholithiasis, a forgotten disease.
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.
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Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Singapore General Hospital, Outram Road, Singapore 169608. gm31sy@sgh.com.sg
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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