Familial multiple-organ arterial ectasia with massive hemoptysis

Numerous large, thin-walled ectatic arteries up to 1 cm in diameter were encountered during operation on a 20-year-old patient. These vessels covered most of the right pleural surface. Similar symptomatic ectatic vessels were found arising from the left side and intracranially. Eight years later large arteriovenous malformations developed from chest wall and scar tissues that required ligations to control hemoptysis. This case was unique in that extensive multiorgan capillary and arterial systems were involved.