Abstract
Racemose hemangioma of the bronchial artery is a rare entity characterized by enlarged and convoluted bronchial arteries which can cause hemoptysis. The therapeutic options include lobectomy of a pulmonary lobe and ligation of the bronchial artery. Recently less invasive bronchial artery embolization (BAE) has increasingly been employed. This paper deals with a case of recurrent hemoptysis due to racemose hemangioma treated by thoracoscopic ligation after unsuccessful BAE.
A 67-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with hemoptysis. Arteriography showed a dilated and convoluted right bronchial artery and a shunt between the right bronchial and pulmonary arteries. Racemose hemangioma of the bronchial artery was diagnosed and BAE was performed. However, she had recurrent bouts of hemoptysis after BAE. Arteriography showed recanalization of the right bronchial artery, and thoracoscopic ligation of bronchial artery was performed. Hemoptysis has not recurred as of one year after the operation. BAE is known as minimally invasive and effective treatment of racemose hemangioma, but thoracoscopic ligation of the bronchial artery may be an effective for relapse of racemose hemangioma after BAE.
