A broncholith is a calcified stone-like mass within the bronchial
tree, usually resulting from the erosion of calcified material from
adjacent lymph nodes into the bronchial lumen. This condition is
often associated with prior infections, such as tuberculosis or
histoplasmosis. The presence of a broncholith can cause
symptoms like chronic cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood),
recurrent infections, or airway obstruction. Diagnosis is made
through XR or CT; bronchoscopy may be used to visualize the
broncholith directly and to aid in its removal if necessary. (Etesami)
CT in axial and coronal projections of an 80- year-old non-smoker with childhood history of treated TB, shows multiple calcifications with tubular morphology (c and d) cionsistent with broncholiths. There is interstitial coarsening of the lung markings
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 292Lu 136626c01
80- year-old non-smoker with childhood history of treated TB, presnts with chronic dyspnea
Corresponding images of a CXR and CT scan show hyperinflation and diffuse interstitial coarsening of the lung markings with upward retraction of the right hilum (a,white arrowhead) a calcified broncholith in the LUL (b, and d red arrowheads) a calcified granuloma in the RUL (a, red arrowhead) and basilar interstitial process (black arrowheads b and d)
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 292Lu 136625cL
73 year old female with history of TB . CT in the axial plane shows a focus of bronchiectasis in the medial segment of the RML (blue arrowhead b, d, e) caused by a calcified broncholith in the medial segment of the middle lobe (white arrowhead d and e) with upstream bronchiectasis (orange arrowhead b and e). Linear nodular changed noted in the right upper lobe (green arrowhead, e) consistent with prior TB infection
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 136532cL
70 year old male with positive QuantiFERON test presents for evaluation of active TB CT in the axial plane shows a bilobed calcified broncholith in the lateral segment of the middle lobe with post obstructive atelectasis.
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 136585b
70 year old male with positive QuantiFERON test presents for evaluation of active TB CT in the axial plane shows a bilobed calcified broncholith in the lateral segment of the middle lobe (c, d white arrowheads) with post obstructive atelectasis (c, blue arrowhead)
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 136585cL
60 year old female presents with a chronic cough. CT in the axial plane shows a large calcified broncholith without downstream atelectasis
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net 31720c
Ashley Davidoff TheCommonvein.net
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net
Ashley Davidoff MD TheCommonVein.net
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