Cryptogenic hemoptysis caused by isolated aortopulmonary collateral artery formation: a case report

Hemoptysis in children is caused by various factors, the most common of which is basic lung disease or heart disease. Aortopulmonary collateral arteries (APCAs) are blood vessels that originate from the aorta or its branches and provide blood flow to the pulmonary tissues. We herein report a rare case of APCAs without abnormal structures in the heart. The patient was a previously healthy boy with APCAs originating from the descending aorta. He had no history of congenital heart disease and developed repeated episodes of cryptogenic hemoptysis during his school-age years. Arteriography examination facilitated the diagnosis of APCAs. After embolization, the patient developed no further hemoptysis during 10 months of follow-up. Arteriography is of great significance in determining the cause of recurrent cryptogenic hemoptysis.