An unexpected case of broncholithiasis secondary to pulmonary nocardiosis

Abstract

Key message Persistent productive cough despite appropriate treatment warrants consideration of flexible bronchoscopy to obtain bronchial specimens for culture. Endobronchial examination of airways may reveal signs of infection in the form of purulent secretions, sputum plugs or in this case, an unexpected finding of a calcified broncholithiasis secondary to Nocardia infection.

Keywords

• broncholithiasis
• endobronchial nocardiosis
• infection
• pulmonary nocardiosis