title: [An unusual cause of hemoptysis: a leech].
abstract: We report an exceptional case of hemoptysis observed in a 38-year-old woman with an uneventful past history. Bronchial fibroscopy demonstrated the presence of a leech attached to the laryngeal orifice. This condition is common in endemic areas but is underdiagnosed. The association of hemoptysis, voice alterations, and difficult respiration are suggestive signs. Extraction should be achieved rapidly to avoid death due to acute respiratory failure.
authors.affiliation: Service de Ppneumo-Phtisiologie, CHU Hassan-II, Faculté de Médecine et de Pharmacie de Fès, route Sidi-Hrazem, BP 1893, 30000 Fès, Morocco. amarabouchra@caramail.com
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Amara
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aakka
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elhord
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elbouzidi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rahimi
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Benjelloun
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khathouf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azeroual
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Benjelloun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007865:Leeches