Anales de pediatría : publicación oficial de la Asociación Española de Pediatría (A.E.P.)
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Hemoptysis and pulmonary hemorrhage are rare pathological entities in childhood, however, both can be life threatening respiratory emergencies and can signify potentially serious underlying intrathoracic disease. We report an 11 year old female who had four episodes of hemoptysis (50 mL of bright red blood within 48 hours) without previous recurrent respiratory problems. The assessment by chest radiography, bronchoscopy and computed tomography (CT) was needed to diagnose the nature of the problem and to indicate the site and extent of the bleeding. ⋯ The bleeding was successfully controlled by right bronchial arterial embolization with 500-700 μm polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microspheres. The course was uncomplicated. The bronchial artery embolization is effective in controlling hemoptysis and complications are uncommon in the hand of an experienced operator.