Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2002 Broncholithiasis and lithoptysis associated with silicosisReference Center for Occupational Lung Diseases, Discipline of Pneumology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil CORRESPONDENCE: V.C.S. Antão, Reference Center for Occupational Lung Diseases, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rua Barata Ribeiro, 720/501, Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro RJ, Brazil, CEP 22051-000. Fax: 55 2125490167. E-mail: vinicius@uerj.br Keywords: broncholithiasis, lithoptysis, silicosis
Received: January 12, 2002 Abstract
A case of broncholithiasis associated with massive silicosis is reported, showing a rare aspect of parenchymal lesions generating broncholiths as well as the presence of recurrent lithoptysis, with subsequent regression of radiological lesions.
Aetiological, clinical, physiopathological, and radiological aspects of the disease are discussed, demonstrating the importance of the use of computed tomography in diagnosis. The mineralogical analysis of expectorated fragments is also shown.
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