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

Abstract

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

Abbreviations

CT, computed tomography; BALF, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; IgG, immunoglobulin G; ALT, alanine transaminase; γ-GT, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase; GM test, galactomannan test.

Data Sharing Statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Patient Consent and Ethics Statement

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Approval No. K2022159. The patient provided informed consent for the publication of the case.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the China National Key Research and Development Program (Grant No. A16002).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.