Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of endovascular embolization as a temporizing measure in the management of severe hemoptysis caused by intracavitary pulmonary aspergilloma.
Methods: Patients presenting with hemoptysis, estimated to be more than 300 ml in the preceding 24 hr, in whom a radiological diagnosis of pulmonary aspergilloma was made on chest radiographs and/or computed tomography of the chest were subjected to bronchial and systemic arteriography and embolization using triacryl microspheres.
Results: Twelve patients with upper lobe intracavitary aspergillomas were managed with embolization. In 11 patients hemoptysis stopped within 24 hr and with no recurrence over the next 4 weeks. In 1 patient hemoptysis persisted and an upper lobe lobectomy was performed.
Conclusion: Embolization of bronchial and systemic arteries is an effective method for treating acute severe hemoptysis from intracavitary aspergillomas, allowing the patient time to recover for definitive surgical management.