A rare cause of massive haemoptysis in an adolescent

Haemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood or blood-tinged sputum originating from the lower respiratory tract. Massive haemoptysis, although rare, can often cause life-threatening asphyxia, respiratory failure, shock and, rarely, mortality. Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), although common, rarely presents with massive haemoptysis. This case report highlights an adolescent male who presented with life-threatening haemoptysis owing to PTB which was managed by successful pulmonary vascular embolisation.Abbreviations: AV: arteriovenous; BAE: bronchial artery embolisation; BPF: bronchopulmonary fistula; CHD: congenital heart disease; CT: computed tomography; ml: millilitre; mm: millimetre; TB: tuberculosis; U.S.A.: United States of America.