This is traditionally investigated CAL-101 price with bronchoscopy for localization of the bleeding lobe followed by catheter angiography and embolisation. The improved spatial resolution and diagnostic capabilities of arterial phase contrast enhanced multislice CT using multiplanar reconstructions however, is likely to favour a non invasive diagnostic modality approach first, increasingly into the future. Mycotic PAP are thought to be caused by several mechanisms such as direct extension of pneumonia to involve the vessel wall, endovascular seeding
of the vessel wall from bronchial arteries in septicaemia and intimal invasion of the vessel wall from septic embolism. These all may lead to focal vessel wall damage or necrosis and subsequent dilatation and pseudoaneurysm formation.4 Contrast enhanced Multislice CT in the arterial phase allows accurate anatomical localization of the aneurysm and direct
visualization of the feeding artery by its ability to acquire isometric volume data. This information is helpful for planning optimal angles for visualizing of the aneurysm during the selective arterial catheterization and embolisation.5 The mortality rate associated with massive haemoptysis is greater than 50% for patients who undergo conservative management.6 Spontaneous regression of small, asymptomatic ABT-263 lesions has been observed.7 Haranga et al., described a case of PAP secondary to lung abscess, which settled with antibiotic treatment alone.8 Endovascular embolisation and resection of Phosphoglycerate kinase the affected pulmonary lobe are the most commonly performed treatment options for pseudoaneurysms. Postoperative complications are encountered in approximately 50% of these patients and a fatal outcome occurs in 20% especially when surgery is performed within the first 24 h after haemoptysis.9 In our case the mortality risk was considered to be high due to the size of the PAP and associated co-morbidities. With improving interventional vascular radiology techniques, transcatheter coil embolisation of the feeding artery or
filling of the sac itself with coils has played a major role in the management of PAP in the past. Although many embolisation materials have been previously suggested as well like direct injection of sclerosant into the pseudoaneurysm sac, our case demonstrates a quick, safe and effective use of Amplatzer embolisation plugs for the treatment of PAP’s. These nitinol wire mesh, self expanding plugs are oversized by 30–50% of the diameter of the intended vessel, thereby ensuring plug stability. A single plug is usually sufficient to occlude the vessel, which avoids the long procedural times and potential for non-target embolisation when using multiple conventional pushable coils. The ability to retract the plug following initial deployment allowing repositioning which is also helpful when dealing with multiple short branches and complex anatomy of the pulmonary arterial tree.