Moderate hemoptysis of unknown etiology

The underlying cause and treatment of hemoptysis should be addressed prompt ly to avoid potentially rife-threatening complications. We report on a prev iously healthy Ii-year-old white boy who presented with acute hemoptysis. O n bronchoscopy, bleeding was noted from the right upper and lower lobes. Ri ght bronchial arteriography revealed multiple legions of abnormal "blushing " throughout the right bronchial arterial distribution which was successful ly controlled by right bronchial arterial embolization. In spite of an exte nsive work-up, we were not able to determine the cause of breeding. The pat ient has been followed for 18 months without any recurrence and without evi dence of any systemic disease. Our patient does not fit any diagnostic cate gory of pulmonary bleeding and further case reports are needed to delineate this entity. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.