Published online Nov 8, 2013. doi: 10.5409/wjcp.v2.i4.54
Revised: September 4, 2013
Accepted: October 16, 2013
Published online: November 8, 2013
Processing time: 164 Days and 13.2 Hours
Core tip: Hemoptysis is a cause of immense concern to the child, the family and the pediatrician. Thorough history and physical examination is necessary to ascertain its presence, which is particularly challenging in the pediatric population. Imaging has an important role in identifying the source of bleeding and its underlying cause. Acute lower respiratory tract infections are the most common cause of pediatric hemoptysis. The imaging modalities include chest radiography, multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and catheter angiography. MDCT is a rapid multiplanar imaging modality which should be used judiciously to keep radiation dose to a minimum. MRI and catheter angiography have selected application.