Asymptomatic Broncholithiasis and Aspergillus Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Songhua Hu, Xudan Yang, Yaqin Huang, Zhihao Xu Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, 322000, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhihao Xu, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, No. N1, Shangcheng Avenue, Yiwu, Zhejiang, 322000, People’s Republic of China, Email xuzhihao@zju.edu.cnAbstract: Broncholithiasis coupled with Aspergillus infection is a rare disease of the respiratory system with complex pathogenesis and non-specific clinical manifestations that can be easily confused with other types of infectious diseases of the respiratory system. The lack of pertinent clinical manifestations in patients increases the risk of clinical misdiagnosis, omission, and incorrect treatment plan selection, which can result in permanent lung structural alterations and lung function decompensation and ultimately harm the lung. We report a rare case of asymptomatic broncholithiasis coupled with Aspergillus infection that was treated at our hospital and discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and prognostic follow-up course. Furthermore, relevant studies from China and other countries, including this case, were reviewed. We gathered eight reports, summarized their significant diagnoses and treatments for broncholithiasis and broncholithiasis coupled with Aspergillus infection, and discussed their clinical features. Our study may help improve physicians’ awareness of these types of diseases and serve as a resource for future diagnosis and treatment.Keywords: broncholithiasis, Aspergillus infection, obstructive pneumonia, infection