[Broncholithiasis, lithoptysis and broncho-oesophageal fistula]

Pneumologie. 2012 Feb;66(2):74-7. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1286633. Epub 2011 Nov 2.
[Article in German]

Abstract

Broncho-oesophageal fistulas in broncholithiasis are extremely rare. Preceding lithoptysis is only seen infrequently. We report on a 68-year-old patient who complained of cough for more than 3 years. 5 months prior to admission he had hemoptysis and expectorated several greyish stones of up to 5 mm diameter. Endoscopy revealed a small excavation at the medial wall of the left main bronchus. Compared to a former CT, an actual CT scan of the thorax showed a small fistula between the oesophagus and the left main bronchus and revealed a missing calcification at this site. The patient underwent a left-sided thoracotomy with excision of the fistula, suture of the oesophagus and interponation of a flap of the M. latissimus dorsi. The demonstration of broncholith migration with CT scans before and after lithoptysis, the development of a left-sided fistula and its demonstration in the CT scan as well as endoscopically have not been reported in this combination before.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Bronchial Diseases / surgery
  • Bronchial Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Bronchial Fistula / surgery
  • Bronchoscopy
  • Calculi*
  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnosis*
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery
  • Hemoptysis / diagnosis*
  • Hemoptysis / etiology*
  • Hemoptysis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lithiasis / diagnosis*
  • Lithiasis / surgery
  • Male
  • Thoracotomy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed