Bronchoesophageal fistula due to broncholithiasis: a case series

Broncholithiasis: A Review

The term "broncholithiasis" is defined as the presence of calcified or ossified materials within the tracheobronchial tree. The report of the condition dates back to 300 bc when Aristotle first described a symptom of "spitting of stones." The process of calcification usually starts within either the mediastinal, hilar, or peribronchial lymph nodes. The impetus is typically initiated by a granulomatous process such as TB or histoplasmosis; however, it can also been seen following exposure to other fungal or occupational elements. The exact mechanism of the calcified material (broncholith) entering the endobronchial tree remains unknown. It is hypothesized, however, that the calcified tissues gradually erodes and/or breaks loose in the airways as a result of repetitive movements of respiration or cardiac pulsations. The broncholiths are often found in the airways without any signs of erosion, however. The most common symptoms of broncholithiasis include cough, hemoptysis, and wheezing as a result of irritation of the airways and the surrounding tissues. The diagnosis is typically suspected on chest radiographs and confirmed by using bronchoscopy. Depending on the severity of the disease, management options range from simple observation to surgical resection. Despite the potential for major complications, the overall disease prognosis is good if timely and appropriate management is provided.

Management of broncholithiasis

Broncholithiasis is a condition in which calcified material has entered the tracheobronchial tree, at times causing airway obstruction and inflammation. Broncholiths generally originate as calcified material in mediastinal lymph nodes that subsequently erode into adjacent airways, often as a result of prior granulomatous infection. Disease manifestations range from asymptomatic stones in the airway to life-threatening complications, including massive hemoptysis and post-obstructive pneumonia. Radiographic imaging, particularly computed tomography scanning of the chest, is integral in the evaluation of suspected broncholithiasis and can be helpful to assess involvement of adjacent structures, including vasculature, prior to any planned intervention. Management strategies largely depend on the severity of disease. Observation is warranted in asymptomatic cases, while therapeutic bronchoscopy and surgical interventions may be necessary for cases involving complications. Bronchoscopic extraction is often feasible in cases in which the broncholith is freely mobile within the airway, whereas partially-embedded broncholiths represent additional challenges. Surgical intervention is indicated for advanced cases deemed not amenable to endoscopic management. Complex cases involving complications such as massive hemoptysis and/or bronchomediastinal fistula formation are best managed with a multidisciplinary approach, utilizing expertise from fields such as pulmonology, radiology, and thoracic surgery.

Diagnosis and Clinical Course of Unexplained Dysphagia

Objective

To investigate the final diagnosis of patients with unexplained dysphagia and the clinical and laboratory findings supporting the diagnosis.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 143 patients with dysphagia of unclear etiology who underwent a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS). The medical records were reviewed, and patients with a previous history of diseases that could affect swallowing were categorized into a missed group. The remaining patients were divided into an abnormal or normal VFSS group based on the VFSS findings. The clinical course and final diagnosis of each patient were examined.

Results

Among the 143 patients, 62 (43%) had a previous history of diseases that could affect swallowing. Of the remaining 81 patients, 58 (72.5%) had normal VFSS findings and 23 (27.5%) had abnormal VFSS findings. A clear cause of dysphagia was not identified in 9 of the 23 patients. In patients in whom a cause was determined, myopathy was the most common cause (n=6), followed by laryngeal neuropathy (n=4) and drug-induced dysphagia (n=3). The mean ages of the patients in the normal and abnormal VFSS groups differed significantly (62.52±15.00 vs. 76.83±10.24 years, respectively; p<0.001 by Student t-test).

Conclusion

Careful history taking and physical examination are the most important approaches for evaluating patients with unexplained swallowing difficulty. Even if VFSS findings are normal in the pharyngeal phase, some patients may need additional examinations. Electrodiagnostic studies and laboratory tests should be considered for patients with abnormal VFSS findings.

Classification of broncholiths and clinical outcomes

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

We evaluated effective treatments of broncholithiasis based on its radiographical and bronchoscopic features.

METHODS

This retrospective study conducted at Samsung Medical Center, Korea enrolled patients who were suspected of having broncholithiasis based on chest computed tomography (CT). The broncholiths were classified as intraluminal, mixed (both intraluminal and extraluminal) and extraluminal based on chest CT and bronchoscopic findings.

RESULTS

The study enrolled 46 patients between 1995 and 2009. Symptoms included cough (n = 21, 45.7%), hemoptysis (n = 19, 41.3%) and purulent sputum (n = 11, 23.9%). Cough was more common in intraluminal boncholiths than in other type of broncholiths (P = 0.03). Based on chest CT, there were 15 (32.6%) intraluminal, 15 (32.6%) mixed and 16 (34.8%) extraluminal broncholiths. All 15 intraluminal broncholiths were removed completely via flexible (n = 2) or rigid (n = 13) bronchoscopy. For the 15 mixed broncholiths, seven (46.7%) bronchoscopic interventions were performed, but complete removal of the broncholiths was not accomplished. Six (40%) mixed and four (25%) extraluminal broncholiths were treated by surgical resection for symptom control. None of the patients who underwent surgical resection suffered morbidity or postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of broncholithiasis should be based on chest CT and bronchoscopic findings. Intraluminal broncholiths can be removed via bronchoscopy, while surgery should be considered for symptomatic mixed or extraluminal broncholiths.

Broncholithiasis

A 47 year old female who had past history of incomplete treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis presented with increased breathlessness, generalized swelling and loss of ap-petite for last one month. X-ray chest PA view showed bilateral fibrocalcific opacities with blunting of costophrenic angle on both sides. She underwent bronchoscopy to collect bronchial wash to rule out relapse of tuberculosis. On bronchoscopy a loose broncholith with sharp and speculated margins were detected in right middle lobe bronchus. This broncholith was successfully removed through flexible bronchoscope without any complications.

Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in adults

AIM: To study the clinical characteristics, diagnosis and surgical treatment of congenital bronchoesophageal fistulae in adults.

METHODS: Eleven adult cases of congenital bronchoesophageal fistula diagnosed and treated in our hospital between May 1990 and August 2010 were reviewed. Its clinical presentations, diagnostic methods, anatomic type, treatment, and follow-up were recorded.

RESULTS: Of the chief clinical presentations, nonspecific cough and sputum were found in 10 (90.9%), recurrent bouts of cough after drinking liquid food in 6 (54.6%), hemoptysis in 6 (54.6%), low fever in 4 (36.4%), and chest pain in 3 (27.3%) of the 11 cases, respectively. The duration of symptoms before diagnosis ranged 5-36.5 years. The diagnosis of congenital bronchoesophageal fistulae was established in 9 patients by barium esophagography, in 1 patient by esophagoscopy and in 1 patient by bronchoscopy, respectively. The congenital bronchoesophageal fistulae communicated with a segmental bronchus, a main bronchus, and an intermediate bronchus in 8, 2 and 1 patients, respectively. The treatment of congenital bronchoesophageal fistulae involved excision of the fistula in 10 patients or division and suturing in 1 patient. The associated lung lesion was removed in all patients. No long-term sequelae were found during the postoperative follow-up except in 1 patient with bronchial fistula who accepted reoperation before recovery.

CONCLUSION: Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula is rare in adults. Its most useful diagnostic method is esophagography. It must be treated surgically as soon as the diagnosis is established.

Endoscopic management for broncholithiasis with bronchoesophageal fistula

We report a case of broncholithiasis with bronchoesophageal fistula that was successfully managed endoscopically using endoscopic laser therapy and a covered self-expandable metallic stent.

Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in an adult: A case report

Bronchoesophageal fistulas are usually diagnosed in the neonatal period. As such, the condition is rare in adults. We present a case of a congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in a 62-year-old man with the complaint of severe bouts of cough and choking after swallowing liquid. His workup included a barium esophagogram that revealed a fistula between the esophagus and a right lower lobe bronchus. The diagnosis should be considered in certain individuals with suggestive symptomatology and unexplained respiratory pathology. The fistula was divided and resected, The patient had an uneventful recovery.

[Broncholithiasis: six cases]

Broncholithiasis is an exceptional condition characterized by the presence of stony formations in the bronchial lumen. We report six cases. Mean age was 41 years. Revealing signs were hemoptysis (n=5), cough (n=5), fever (n=1) and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections (n=1). Physical examination found sonorous rales in two patients and was normal in four. The chest x-ray showed a parenchymal opacity suggestive of calcification in one patient, atelectasia in two, and alveolar images in three. Bronchial endoscopy demonstrated broncholithiasis in one patient, an endobronchial blood clot in one patient with abundant hemoptysis, an endoluminal bud simulating a tumor in two, an inflammatory aspect in one, and was normal in one. Thoracic computed tomography demonstrated broncholithiasis in three patients. Treatment consisted in lobectomy in five patients. The pathology specimen confirmed broncholithiasis in all five and in one revealed caseofollicular lesions of the hillar nodes. Anti-tuberculosis treatment was prescribed for this patient. Therapeutic abstention with regular surveillance was chosen for one patient with an uncomplicated broncholithiasis. Broncholithiasis is an exceptional condition with potentially serious consequences. Certain diagnosis is based on high-resolution computed tomography and endoscopic findings but can nevertheless be a surgical discovery.