title: A potential pitfall in bronchial artery embolization.
abstract: Two cases of patients with massive haemoptysis undergoing bronchial arteriography are described. Both had collateral vessels which filled the right subclavian artery from the right intercosto-bronchial trunk. Such vessels form a potential route for the passage of embolic material into the subclavian artery and its branches during therapeutic bronchial artery embolization. To avoid this potential complication, super selective catheterization with the positioning of the catheter tip well into the bronchial artery beyond the origin of the intercostal artery and any large collateral vessels is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, St George's Hospital, London.
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cowling
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Belli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001981:Bronchial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002404:Catheterization; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging