Bronchial Anthracofibrosis (Inflammatory Bronchial Stenosis with Anthracotic Pigmentation)

Abstract

Atelectasis caused by smooth bronchial narrowing, surrounded by calcified or noncalcified lymph nodes, in elderly and nonsmoking women is a typical finding of anthracofibrosis. Calcified lymph nodes adjacent to the involved bronchi and multifocal involvement of bronchial narrowing may be helpful in differentiating this condition from lung cancer.

The Demographic, Clinical, Radiographic and Bronchoscopic Evaluation of Anthracosis and Anthracofibrosis Cases

“…Young KH et al [8] reported that among 54 bronchial anthracofibrosis cases, the right middle lobe bronchus was the most commonly involved site (63%) on bronchoscopy. In the same study while single-site involvement was noted in 48% of patients multiple site involvement was seen in 52%.…”

“…Anthracofibrosis is a bronchoscopic finding showing dark anthracotic pigmentation on the bronchial mucosa in conjunction with bronchial narrowing or obliteration [8]. Most patients are presented with cough, dyspnea and sputum.…”

“…First reported from Korea, it was predominantly seen in non-smoking ladies with a longstanding history of exposure to wood smoke used either for food cooking or heating. The luminal narrowing and anthracotic pigmentation was most commonly observed in the right middle lobe [6][7][8][9]. The CT findings have been reported to include smooth bronchostenosis and peribronchial lymph nodes along with peripheral atelectasis [6,8,9,11].…”

“…The luminal narrowing and anthracotic pigmentation was most commonly observed in the right middle lobe [6][7][8][9]. The CT findings have been reported to include smooth bronchostenosis and peribronchial lymph nodes along with peripheral atelectasis [6,8,9,11]. Bronchogenic carcinoma and endobronchial tuberculosis (TB) are two main causes of bronchostenosis that can be accompanied by peribronchial nodes and atelectasis [12,13].…”

The association between bronchial anthracofibrosis and pneumoconiosis: A retrospective cross‐sectional study

“…However, a study among Koreans with lung cancer suggested that BAF occurs less frequently in nonmalignant lymph nodes than in malignant lymph nodes 21) . In addition, the finding of multifocal bronchial narrowing was a critical point for differentiation from lung cancer 22) . This was concordant with our study results showing that BAF and BAC were more prevalent among coal-exposed subjects than other workers.…”