Radionuclide Localization of Massive Pulmonary Hemorrhage

Lung scans with technetium sulfur colloid were performed in ten patients with life-threatening hemoptysis and nondiagnostic chest roentgenograms. Localized deposition of radionuclide was demonstrated in five of the six patients who were studied during active bleeding. These abnormalities were confirmed bronchoscopically in four patients, and lung scans provided clinically useful information regarding the bleeding site that had not been available from the medical history, physical examination, or chest roentgenogram. Evaluation with radionuclide scanning may complement bronchoscopic and roentgenographic studies in selected patients with massive pulmonary hemorrhage.