Bronchial arterial embolization using a gelatin sponge for hemoptysis from pulmonary aspergilloma: comparison with other pulmonary diseases

Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes of bronchial artery embolization (BAE) using a gelatin sponge for hemoptysis from pulmonary aspergilloma and compare them with treatment outcomes for hemoptysis from other diseases. Methods Fifty-two patients underwent BAE using a gelatin sponge. The etiology of hemoptysis was pulmonary aspergilloma in 8 (PA group) and other diseases in 44 (control group). The technical success rate, clinical success rate, hemoptysis-free rate, and complication rate were compared between the PA group and control group. Technical success was defined as the complete cessation of the targeted feeding artery as confirmed by digital subtraction angiography, and clinical success as the cessation of hemoptysis within 24 h of BAE. Recurrent hemoptysis was defined as a single or multiple episodes of hemoptysis causing > 30 ml of bleeding per day. Results Technical and clinical success rates were 100% in both groups. Hemoptysis-free rates were 85% at 6 months and 72% at 12–60 months in the control group, and 38% at 6–12 months and 25% thereafter in the PA group ( P = 0.0009). No complications were observed following BAE in any case in the two groups. Conclusion BAE using a gelatin sponge may not be effective for hemoptysis from pulmonary aspergilloma.