Therapeutic management of broncholithiasis.

Broncholithiasis is characterized by calcified perihilar and mediastinal lymph nodes eroding into the tracheobronchial tree. We report herein 4 cases of symptomatic broncholithiasis managed by surgical resection in 2 cases and bronchoscopic removal in 2 cases. From our experience and from the literature review, bronchoscopic removal should be considered in cases of uncomplicated and loose broncholithiasis, whereas surgical management should be chosen first in complicated cases such as obstructive pneumonitis, bronchiectasis, massive hemoptysis, and bronchoesophageal fistulas.