A young man with severe impairment of respiratory function due to previous tuberculosis presented with recurrent massive haemoptysis causing hypotension, anaemia and respiratory failure. The successful management of the haemoptysis using percutaneous transarterial embolisation (PTE) of the right bronchial artery is documented here.
The case of an 11-year-old child presenting with acute haemoptysis and breathlessness is described. The girl was Malaysian and had recently arrived in the UK. She subsequently deteriorated, developing respiratory failure. The course of the illness is described, with reference to the diagnostic process at each stage. The case demonstrates the importance of having a broad investigatory approach in acute haemoptysis.