The Effectiveness of Embolotherapy for Treatment of Hemoptysis in Patients with Varying Severity of Tuberculosis by Assessment of Chest Radiography

The effectiveness of percutaneous embolotherapy in cases of hemoptysis due to pulmonary tuberculosis from increasing severity of lung parenchymal injury was compared. The pattern of pleural involvement, as seen on chest radiography and angiography, were comparatively analyzed in 230 patients who were available for follow-ups from March 1992 to December 2003. Chest radiography findings were classified into 4 types based on levels of complicated lesions and pleural involvement. Angiography findings were divided into 4 groups based on the level of blood supply to lesions. Early hemostasis with respect to radiographic group were as follows: Type I- 92% (73/79), Type II- 80% (52/65), Type III- 70% (42/60), and Type IV- 56% (52/92); there was an average success rate of 73% (219/296), and continued hemostasis was found in 80% of Type I patients (62/77), 77% of Type II patients (41/53), 62% of Type III patients (25/40), and 45% of Type IV patients (27/60), with an average long-term hemostatic rate of 67% (155/230). Increasing severity of pleural involvement and associated complications correlated with increasing development of systemic collateral arteries other than the bronchial artery. The severely increased circulation in systemic collateral arteries makes it difficult to predict good hemostatic results following embolization. Therefore, we recommend aggressive treatment, such as surgical intervention, after embolization in such instances.