[Racemose hemangioma of the bronchial artery]

Racemose hemangioma of the bronchial arteries is a rare abnormality and is characterized by enlarged and convoluted bronchial arteries arranged segmentally along the longitudinal axis of bronchus. Primary racemose hemangioma may arise from inborn malformation, and secondary one may develop following primary inflammatory, stenosing or deforming diseases of the bronchus, the peribronchial tissues and the surrounding lung tissues. The symptom at onset is usually hemoptysis. Although the typical treatments have not been established, various treatments, like embolization or ligation of the bronchial arteries and surgical resection of the involved area of lung, were reported. However the term 'Racemose hemangioma' seems to be used only in Japan, so it is favorable to make a consensus of its definition among countries.