[Identification and bronchoscopic management of broncholithiasis].
OBJECTIVE
To report the diagnostic experience for broncholithiasis, and to evaluate the value of flexible bronchoscopic management for the disease.


METHODS
The clinical data, radiological features, bronchoscopy findings, the effect and complications of bronchoscopic management in 31 patients with broncholithiasis admitted to changhai hospital of second military medical university and zhejiang Taizhou Hospital between 2000 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed.


RESULTS
There were 19 men and 12 women, the mean age was 58.6 +/- 12.6. There were 26 cases missed diagnosis, and 19 cases were misdiagnosis. The diagnosis was confirmed by chest CT combined with bronchoscopy in all the patients. Thirty-six broncholiths were revealed, of which 26 were intraluminal, 9 eroding in the bronchial wall, and 1 peribronchial. In 26 patients, 31 broncholiths were managed by flexible bronchoscope, and 25 broncholiths were successfully removed. The success rate for intraluminal free broncholiths was higher (23/25). One patient experienced hemoptysis of 300 ml after therapy, but no significant complications occurred in other patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The diagnosis of broncholithiasis can be easily missed or misdiagnosed. Chest CT combined with bronchoscopy were useful methods for the diagnosis of the disease. Extraction of broncholiths with flexible bronchoscope is a safe and effective management, especially for intraluminal broncholiths.
Dong
Yu-chao
YC
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Li
Qiang
Q
Bai
Chong
C
Feng
Jia-xi
JX
Xu
Hao
H
Huang
Yi
Y
Han
Yi-ping
YP
Yao
Xiao-peng
XP
Wang
Qin
Q
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002137:Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome