Radiologic management of haemoptysis: diagnostic and interventional bronchial arterial embolisation.
Hemoptysis can be a life-threatening pulmonary emergency with high mortality, is symptomatic of an underlying severe pulmonary disease and requires immediate diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostically, bronchoscopy, conventional chest x-ray and contrast-enhanced multislice computed tomography (MSCT) with CT angiography (CTA) provide information regarding the underlying pulmonary disease, bleeding site, the vascular anatomy of the bronchial arteries (BA) and extrabronchial branches, as well a basis for planning of endovascular intervention. Therapeutically, bronchial artery embolization (BAE) is a safe and effective technique in the hands of an experienced interventionist with profound knowledge of the BA anatomy and possible pitfalls as well as experience with first-line therapy of recurrent and massive hemoptysis or as an intervention prior to elective surgery. Recurrent episodes of hemoptysis are not uncommon and require a prompt repeat BAE after exclusion of extrabronchial systemic and pulmonary artery bleeding sources. This review article should give an overview of the history, anatomical and pathophysiological basics and the clinical context of hemoptysis and diagnosis, as well as a survey of management, treatment and results of BAE.


CONCLUSIONS
Hemoptyses are life threatening and require urgent diagnostic and therapy. Chest x-ray, bronchoscopy, and contrast-enhanced MSCT with CTA should be carried out before therapeutic bronchial artery embolization (BAE). BAE for the treatment of massive and recurrent hemoptysis is safe and effective. False embolization in spinal branches of BA are the most serious complication of a BAE. Repeatedly BAE refractory cases should undergo elective surgery.
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department and Clinic, Center for Radiology and Endoscopy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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H
Ittrich
Department of Internal Medicine II and Clinic - Section Pneumology, Center for Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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H
Klose
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department and Clinic, Center for Radiology and Endoscopy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
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G
Adam
D000792:Angiography / Q000379:methods*; D001981:Bronchial Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods*; D004630:Emergencies; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D012008:Recurrence; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*