Choriocarcinoma Syndrome of Primary Pulmonary Choriocarcinoma After Lung Lobe Resection: a Case Report and Review of the Literature

Introduction: Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma (PPC) is extremely rare, especially in males. It is characterized by a poor response to therapy and shortened survival times. Here, we report a PPC case that was complicated by choriocarcinoma syndrome (CS) and present a review of the literature.Case presentation: A 59-year-old man with a 30-pack-year smoking history was referred to our hospital because of haemoptysis and chest pain. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) showed multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules and multiple metastases throughout the body. The patient underwent single-port thoracoscopic wedge resection of the right lung upper lobe. Histological examinations verified the diagnosis of choriocarcinoma. Three days after the operation, the patient developed massive haemoptysis. A bronchoscopic examination showed bleeding from the bilateral main bronchus. Despite management in the intensive care unit (ICU), the patient died two weeks after surgery.Conclusions: A rapid and correct diagnosis of PPC is necessary. When the patient has massive haemoptysis, we should be alert to the occurrence of CS. Surgery and modified chemotherapy, based on the physical condition of the patient, may currently be the best therapy for PPC.

Coil embolisation for massive haemoptysis in cystic fibrosis

IntroductionMassive haemoptysis is a life-threatening event in advanced cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease with bronchial artery embolisation (BAE) as standard of care treatment. The aim of our study was to scrutinise short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with CF and haemoptysis after BAE using coils.MethodsWe carried out a retrospective cohort study of 34 adult patients treated for massive haemoptysis with super selective bronchial artery coil embolisation (ssBACE) between January 2008 and February 2015. Embolisation protocol was restricted to the culprit vessel(s) and three lobes maximum. Demographic data, functional end-expiratory volume in 1 s in % predicted (FEV1% pred.) and body mass index before and after ssBACE, sputum colonisation, procedural data, time to transplant and time to death were documented.ResultsPatients treated with ssBACE showed significant improvement of FEV1% pred. after embolisation (p=0.004) with 72.8% alive 5 years post-ssBACE. Mean age of the patients was 29.9 years (±7.7). Mean FEV1% pred. was 45.7% (±20.1). Median survival to follow-up was 75 months (0–125). Severe complication rate was 0%, recanalisation rate 8.8% and 5-year-reintervention rate 58.8%. Chronic infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in 79.4%, Staphylococcus areus in 50% and Aspergillus fumigatus in 47.1%.DiscussionssBACE is a safe and effective treatment for massive haemoptysis in patients with CF with good results for controlling haemostasis and excellent short-term and long-term survival, especially in severely affected patients with FEV<40% pred. We think the data of our study support the use of coils and a protocol of careful and prudent embolisation.

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis/pseudomonas

A 47-year-old Caucasian man on long-standing antifungal therapy for chronic necrotising aspergillosis and a history of recurrent pseudomonas pneumonias presented to the outpatient pulmonary clinic with dyspnoea and chest discomfort for 3 days. A CT angiography of the chest demonstrated angioinvasion from the previously noted left upper lobe cavitary lesion into the left main pulmonary artery, along with new consolidating lesions. Due to the high risk for massive haemoptysis, he was evaluated by thoracic surgery and underwent a successful left pneumonectomy. As invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is associated with high mortality, surgical intervention should always be considered, especially in those who develop extensive disease, despite being on aggressive antifungal therapy. Though minimally described in literature, invasive pulmonary pseudomonas also carries a high mortality risk. In our patient, cultures from the resected lung only demonstrated Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pulmonary Artery Pseudoaneurysm with Recurrent Massive Haemoptysis: Endovascular Management by a Covered Stent

Pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm (PAPA) is a potentially fatal, albeit rare cause of hemoptysis. With a varied etiology and debatable management, time is the essence in its treatment. We present a case of a post lobectomy PAPA with recurrence of malignancy, managed via endovascular approach in a low resource setting where an ideal hardware was not available.

Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis resulting in haemoptysis: a case series

Background Acquired pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) is an infrequent complication of atrial fibrillation ablation that is often misdiagnosed due to predominant respiratory symptoms. It can result in pulmonary venous hypertension, with varying presentations, ranging from shortness of breath to haemoptysis. Case summary We report two patients with a history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation treated with radiofrequency ablation and pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, who subsequently developed PVS. Case 1 initially presented with indolent symptoms of shortness of breath and cough. He was initially diagnosed with and treated for pneumonia. In contrast, Case 2 presented with massive haemoptysis, requiring intubation and intensive care unit admission. Both patients were eventually diagnosed with PVS by computed tomography. They were treated with PV angioplasty and stenting. Discussion While previously limited to the congenital heart disease population, PVS is occurring more frequently now in adult patients as a complication of ablation procedures. It is most effectively treated with angioplasty and stent implantation but has a high rate of recurrence.

Successful treatment of massive haemoptysis in a young woman with anastomosis of right internal mammary artery to right superior pulmonary vein fistula

A 21-year-old, otherwise healthy, female patient was admitted with haemoptysis. Chest X-ray and CT found a consolidated right middle pulmonary lobe. Catheter angiography of ascending aorta visualised two hypertrophic and tortuous branches of the right internal mammary artery with a fistula to the right superior pulmonary vein. The inflow was embolised with coils. Catheter angiography of descending aorta found hypertrophic right bronchial arteries and right phrenic artery supplying a web-like network of vessels, which drained to the right superior pulmonary vein with discrete filling of an accessory right middle pulmonary vein. CT angiography with a catheter for contrast administration in the ascending aorta was performed for characterisation. After two additional episodes of haemoptysis, right middle lobe lobectomy was performed. Perioperatively pulmonary artery blood supply to the right middle pulmonary lobe was absent and an atretic accessory middle pulmonary vein was seen. The patient was discharged 7 days afterwards without sequelae.

An Elegant Solution to a Ruptured Right Aberrant Subclavian Artery after Oesophageal Stent Removal

Arterioenteric or arteriotracheal fistula is a known complication of an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) and is often associated with prolonged nasogastric or endotracheal intubation or oesophageal stenting. Fistula formation from the ARSA can present unexpectedly with rapid exsanguination with massive haemoptysis or haematemesis, and unless promptly recognised and treated is rapidly fatal. We present a novel endovascular method for treating a fistula between the oesophagus, trachea and an ARSA in an unstable patient following oesophageal stent removal, utilising a covered iliac limb stent, eliminating the need for an open surgical approach.

Subclavian artery aneurysm: a rare cause of massive haemoptysis

A 35-year-old man was admitted to the intensive care unit with massive haemoptysis. CT of the chest revealed a necrotic right upper lobe mass. Angiography of his thoracic vasculature revealed a pseudoaneurysm in the right subclavian artery with active contrast extravasation. This anatomic deformity was stented and coiled with the assistance of interventional radiology. Bronchoscopy with lavage and brushings of the right upper lobe mass revealed fungal hyphae and positive galactomannan, supporting that the patient developed invasive pulmonary aspergillosis leading to a mycotic pseudoaneurysm of the right subclavian artery followed by massive haemoptysis.