Teaching Points
- A Chest Xray may reveal a cause of haemoptysis
- If there is a clinical suspicion of an underlying abnormality, CT of the chest is indicated
- Further investigations are dictated by CT findings. This may include a bronchoscopy if a neoplastic lesion is seen or an angiogram if a vascular abnormality is suspected
- Massive haemoptysis (>300mL in 24hrs) is a medical emergency. Depending on whether the patient is haemodynamically stable, diagnostic tests (eg CT scan) may be undertaken. However, if the patient is compromised bronchoscopy is preferred initially, as it affords therapeutic intervention at the same time
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