Carminia Lapuz1, Sandeep K Gupta2, Elizabeth A Bennett2, Colin I Tang1. 1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Locked Bag 7, Hunter Region Mail Centre, New South Wales 2310, Australia. 2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Calvary Mater Newcastle, Locked Bag 7, Hunter Region Mail Centre, New South Wales 2310, Australia.
Abstract
AIM: To discuss the application of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and technetium-99m-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy (LRBCS) in life-threatening hemoptysis from a non-malignant condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case report presents a patient with persistent hemoptysis secondary to chronic Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in whom conventional management failed to localize the site of pulmonary bleeding or to provide effective therapy. RESULTS: EBRT was successfully given for life-threatening hemoptysis with improvement in quality of life for nearly 1 year. LRBCS was used to localize the source of further bleeding and facilitate targeted therapy. CONCLUSION: EBRT can be an effective and well-tolerated modality in treating life-threatening hemoptysis refractory to conventional methods. LRBCS is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be used to detect the source of pulmonary bleeding.
AIM: To discuss the application of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and technetium-99m-labeled red blood cell scintigraphy (LRBCS) in life-threatening hemoptysis from a non-malignant condition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case report presents a patient with persistent hemoptysis secondary to chronic Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in whom conventional management failed to localize the site of pulmonary bleeding or to provide effective therapy. RESULTS:EBRT was successfully given for life-threatening hemoptysis with improvement in quality of life for nearly 1 year. LRBCS was used to localize the source of further bleeding and facilitate targeted therapy. CONCLUSION:EBRT can be an effective and well-tolerated modality in treating life-threatening hemoptysis refractory to conventional methods. LRBCS is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can be used to detect the source of pulmonary bleeding.