Medical pneumonectomy: interventional bronchoscopic and endovascular management of massive hemoptysis due to pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm, a consequence of endobronchial brachytherapy.

Abstract

Endobronchial brachytherapy serves as an excellent adjunct to standard external beam radiation therapy. The high dose of local radiation is still used to manage airway obstructions at some institutions, despite the well-known risks of airway fistulae to the esophagus or cardiovascular structures. A less reported complication is the development of a pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysm into the mainstem bronchi. The formation of an arterial pseudoaneurysm can lead to massive hemoptysis, which often is fatal. We present a case of massive hemoptysis due to this complication of brachytherapy managed entirely through bronchoscopic and endovascular techniques.