Massive hemoptysis treated with embolization of an ectopic bronchial artery arising from the right thyrocervical trunk: a case report

Background Ectopic bronchial artery and non-bronchial systemic arteries may be the culprit vessels of hemoptysis. The main cause of clinical failure of bronchial artery embolization is incomplete embolization caused by the misidentification of the culprit arteries by conventional angiography. Multidetector computed tomography angiography is useful for visualizing the culprit arteries. Case presentation An 82-year-old man was admitted with hemoptysis. Preprocedural multidetector computed tomography angiography revealed an ectopic bronchial artery branching from the right thyrocervical trunk. Superselective embolization of the ectopic bronchial artery was performed using gelatin sponge particles and metallic coils. Hemoptysis was controlled by this procedure without any associated complications. Conclusions Ectopic bronchial arteries originating from the thyrocervical trunk are rare. Preprocedural multidetector computed tomography angiography is useful for visualizing the culprit arteries of hemoptysis, especially if a patient has an ectopic bronchial artery or an ectopic non-bronchial systemic artery.