Objective: To define the role of interventional radiology and surgery respectively, in the treatment of massive haemoptysis. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS: For the management of massive haemoptysis in non-terminal pathologies an intensive care facility and a multi-disciplinary team are necessary. It is of paramount importance to identify rapidly the pulmonary or bronchial source of the bleeding. CT scanning and bronchoscopy are essential to localise the bleeding and determine its cause. Initial management. An attempt to control the initial bleeding to allow localisation of its origin and determine the treatment.
Treatment: Bronchial or systemic embolisation and surgery are the only effective medium and long-term treatments. Embolisation achieves excellent results in bleeding from bronchial or parietal systemic arteries prior to surgery and may be the only technique possible in the presence of major co-morbidity. Surgery is necessary in the case of failure, in certain specific conditions, and in the case pulmonary artery haemorrhage from a proximal lesion. Various surgical techniques are available depending on the type of lesion encountered and the facilities for post-operative care. Emergency surgery carries a high risk and deferred surgery gives better results.
Conclusion: The management of massive haemoptysis should be multi-disciplinary. Intensive care, respiratory and radiological diagnosis, Surgical management and interventional radiology should be combined to improve the prognosis of this grave condition. Pulmonary arterial haemorrhage from a necrotic tumour constitutes a surgical emergency and should be operated on without delay.