√ To know the pathophysiologic features and the most important causes of life-threatening hemoptysis. √ To consider the clinical context of the patients in order to focus the evaluation of the different vessels potentially involved (bronchial and nonbronchial systemic arteries, pulmonary arteries). √ To evaluate the role of MCDT angiography in the identification of the bleeding site and the vessels causing massive hemoptysis.

Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood originating from the tracheobronchial tree or pulmonary parenchyma. The quantification of blood is difficult from the clinical point of view, so the term more useful is life-threatening hemoptysis (LTH), to define a situation where there is an immediate risk to the life of the patient, which is the airway compromise; the clinical significance of an episode of hemoptysis should take into account not only the volume of expectorated blood, but also the effects on the patient’s respiratory...

Multi-Detector Row CT -Technique and Data Manipulation The imaging parameters used are: 120 kV, 70-120 mAs (variable values ​​according caredose ®), rotation time of 0.42 s, 0.75 mm collimation and "pitch" of 0.85. The thickness of image reconstruction is 1 mm, with an interval of 0.7 mm. The acquisition is performed with the patient in the supine position at maximal inspiration during a single breath-hold, in a craniocaudal direction from the base of the neck to the middle third of the kidneys (renal arteries level),...

- The LTH is a serious clinical condition that requires prompt diagnosis andtreatment. - The treatment of choice is embolization. - Bronchial circulation is the most frequent cause of LTH, but nonbronchial systemic arteries or pulmonary arteries can also cause bleeding, depending on the underlying pathology. - MDCT angiography allows quick, accurate and noninvasive assessment of thecause, location and possible involved vessels. It is particularly useful for detecting ectopic bronchial arteries, nonbronchial systemic arteries and pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms. - The systematic use of MDCT angiography...

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