Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage: clinical, pathologic, and imaging features

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 164; no. 2; pp. 295 - 300
• Main Authors: Primack, SL, Miller, RR, Muller, NL
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Leesburg, VA Am Roentgen Ray Soc 01.02.1995; American Roentgen Ray Society
• Subjects: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency - etiology; Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Disease - diagnosis; Biological and medical sciences; Collagen Diseases - complications; Hemoptysis - etiology; Hemorrhage - diagnosis; Hemorrhage - etiology; Hemosiderosis - complications; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Lung - pathology; Lung Diseases - diagnosis; Lung Diseases - etiology; Medical sciences; Pneumology; Radiography; Respiratory system : syndromes and miscellaneous diseases; Vascular Diseases - complications; Vascular disease; Diffuse; Human; Radiodiagnosis; Respiratory disease; Lung; Etiopathogenesis; Cardiovascular disease; Computerized axial tomography; Diagnosis; Hemorrhage; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
• DOI: 10.2214/ajr.164.2.7839958
• ISSN: 0361-803X

Diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage (DPH) is a syndrome characterized by the presence of widespread hemorrhage from the pulmonary microvasculature leading to hemoptysis, iron deficiency anemia, and a chest radiography showing bilateral airspace consolidation. Diagnostic imaging consists primarily of chest radiography, but CT and MR imaging may be helpful in selected cases. There are many causes of DPH, and the differential diagnosis and diagnostic approach depend on whether the patient is immunocompetent or immunocompromised. This review summarizes the clinical, pathologic, and imaging features of DPH and the treatment of its more common causes.