Bronchial Cast in a Child with Hemoptysis

Abstract

Bronchial cast is a rare clinical problem that is more often reported in children than in adults. Reported mean ages ranges from 4 to 12.8 years. It is associated with underlying diseases such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and congenital heart defects. Bronchial casts vary in size, and clinical presentations may differ depending on the size of the casts. Prognosis also depends on the associated disease and the type of cast, ranging from rapid recovery after cast removal to life-threating respiratory impairment. It is generally expectorated spontaneously or with a cough, but sometimes needed bronchoscopy to remove from bronchi. Moreover, the understanding of pathogenesis is still insufficient. There have been reported a few cases of bronchial cast with hemoptysis in patients without an underlying disease. Herein, we report a patient with bronchial cast following hemoptysis, secondary to an aortopulmonary collateral artery, in the absence of a lung or systemic disease.