What could hemoptysis hide in an otherwise healthy child?

Pediatr Pulmonol. 2011 Nov;46(11):1146-8. doi: 10.1002/ppul.21498. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Abstract

We describe a previously healthy 12-year-old boy who attended our Department after a sudden episode of hemoptysis and recurrent consolidation. CT-scan revealed a mediastinal tumor. The biopsy specimens taken from the mass showed a mature teratoma. Hemoptysis is an unusual presenting symptom in an otherwise healthy child with a well capsulated, unruptured mature mediastinal teratoma. In this report, hemoptysis prompted us to undertake the diagnostic work-up that eventually disclosed the tumor.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Hemoptysis / diagnosis
  • Hemoptysis / diagnostic imaging
  • Hemoptysis / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / complications*
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / surgery
  • Teratoma / complications*
  • Teratoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Teratoma / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome