Bronchial artery embolization for the treatment of hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis: its clinical effect with an analysis of the causes of recurrence

Objective: To investigate clinical effect of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) in treating massive hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis and to analyze the causes of recurrence in order to improve the therapeutic results. Methods: A total of 39 cases of patients with recurrent massive hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis, who were encountered during the period from Oct. 2007 to Sep. 2010, were enrolled in this study. The lesions included infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (n= 28) and chronic fibrocavitary pulmonary tuberculosis (n= 11). BAE with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles only was performed in 14 cases (group A), while BAE with both PVA particles and coils was carried out in 25 cases (group B). All the patients were followed up for 12 - 48 months. The results were compared between the two groups. Results: Immediate hemostasis was obtained in 36 cases (92.3%), the clinical result was excellent in 3 cases. The complete cure or excellent result with single embolization procedure was achieved in 30 cases (76.9%). Recurrence was seen in 9 cases (23.1%). The difference in the recurrence rate between group A (42.9%) and group B (12.0%) was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The relapsing rate of patients with chronic fibrocavitary pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher than that of patients with infiltrative pulmonary tuberculosis (45.5% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05). Conclusion: BAE has an instant effect of hemostasis and satisfactory clinical result. Nowadays BAE has already become the treatment of first choice for hemoptysis caused by pulmonary tuberculosis. The dual embolization technique with the combination use of PVA particles and coils can effectively reduce the recurrence of' pulmonary tuberculosis hemoptysis. (authors)