Hemoptysis

Hemoptysis
Classification and external resources
Specialty Pulmonology
ICD-10 R04.2
ICD-9-CM 786.30
DiseasesDB 5578
MedlinePlus 003073
Patient UK Hemoptysis
MeSH D006469

Hemoptysis or haemoptysis[lower-alpha 1] is the act of coughing up blood or blood-stained mucus from the bronchi, larynx, trachea, or lungs. This can occur with lung cancer, infections such as tuberculosis, bronchitis, or pneumonia, and certain cardiovascular conditions. Hemoptysis is considered massive if there is more than 300 mL (11 imp fl oz; 10 US fl oz) of blood lost in 24 hours. In such cases, the primary danger comes from choking, rather than blood loss.[1]

Differential diagnosis

There are many conditions involving hemoptysis bronchitis and pneumonia most commonly, but also lung cancers (in smokers, hemoptysis is often persistent), aspergilloma, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, coccidioidomycosis, pulmonary embolism, pneumonic plague, and cystic fibrosis. Rarer causes include hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT or Rendu-Osler-Weber syndrome), Goodpasture's syndrome, and granulomatosis with polyangiitis. In children, hemoptysis is commonly caused by the presence of a foreign body in the airway. The condition can also result from over-anticoagulation from treatment by drugs such as warfarin.

Blood-laced mucus from the sinus or nose area can sometimes be misidentified as symptomatic of hemoptysis (such secretions can be a sign of nasal or sinus cancer, but also a sinus infection). Extensive non-respiratory injury can also cause one to cough up blood. Cardiac causes like congestive heart failure and mitral stenosis should be ruled out.

The origin of blood can be identified by observing its color. Bright-red, foamy blood comes from the respiratory tract, whereas dark-red, coffee-colored blood comes from the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes hemoptysis may be rust-colored.

The most common cause of minor hemoptysis is bronchitis.[1]

Diagnosis

Diagnostic approach to solving the puzzle of hemoptysis.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Treatments include iced saline, and topical vasoconstrictors such as adrenalin or vasopressin. Selective bronchial intubation can be used to collapse the lung that is bleeding. Also, endobronchial tamponade can be used. Laser photocoagulation can be used to stop bleeding during bronchoscopy. Angiography of bronchial arteries can be performed to locate the bleeding, and it can often be embolized.[13] Surgical option is usually the last resort, and can involve, removal of a lung lobe or removal of the entire lung. Non–small-cell lung cancer can also be treated with erlotinib or gefitinib.[14] Cough suppressants can increase the risk of choking.[1]

Notes

  1. Pronounced /hˈmɒptss/. The spelling difference (hemo- versus haemo-) reflects American and British English spelling differences. A rarely used and fairly obscure synonym is emptysis.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sabatine, [edited by] Marc S. (2014). Pocket medicine (Fifth edition. ed.). [S.l.]: Aspen Publishers, Inc. ISBN 1451193785.
  2. Google Health – Google
  3. Google Health – Google
  4. Sarcoidosis Signs & Symptoms - Sarcoidosis - HealthCommunities.com
  5. MedlinePlus Encyclopedia Pulmonary aspergilloma
  6. Google Health – Google
  7. Histoplasmosis Symptoms - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic
  8. Pediatric Goodpasture Syndrome at eMedicine
  9. Wegener's granulomatosis Symptoms - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic
  10. 1 2 Hemoptysis Causes - Hemoptysis - HealthCommunities.com
  11. 1 2 3 4 Other Causes of Hemoptysis - Hemoptysis - HealthCommunities.com
  12. Richard F.LeBlond. Diagnostics. US: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-140923-8.
  13. Uppsala Academic Hospital > Guidelines for treatment of acute lung diseases. August 2004. Authors: Christer Hanson, Carl-Axel Karlsson, Mary Kämpe, Kristina Lamberg, Eva Lindberg, Lavinia Machado Boman, Gunnemar Stålenheim
  14. Welcome to Elgg
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