Publication

Dieulafoy's disease of the lung: a potential disaster for the bronchoscopist

Journal Paper/Review - Jan 1, 2006

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Löschhorn C, Nierhoff N, Mayer R, Zaunbauer W, Neuweiler J, Knoblauch A. Dieulafoy's disease of the lung: a potential disaster for the bronchoscopist. Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases 2006; 73:562-5.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Respiration; international review of thoracic diseases 2006; 73
Publication Date
Jan 1, 2006
Issn Print
0025-7931
Pages
562-5
Brief description/objective

Dieulafoy's disease of the lung is very rare. We present 2 cases, which are, to our knowledge, the 9th and 10th cases reported in the literature. Haemoptysis is the leading symptom of Dieulafoy's lesion of the lung. In spite of its rareness, the lesion is relevant to the bronchoscopist because a biopsy of the unobtrusive but characteristic bronchial manifestation can precipitate profuse arterial bleeding with a fatal outcome. The bleeding can occur immediately after the biopsy and/or after an interval of up to 12 days. Angiographic images document that this vascular malformation is based on a left-to-right shunt, with a bronchial artery draining into a pulmonary artery. Endobronchial ultrasound may be helpful in detecting the vascular nature of the lesion.