Haemoptysis in a patient operated under regional anaesthesia: What could be the first diagnosis?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Haemoptysis is always an alarming symptom but a rather rare event in the recovery ward following an uneventful regional anaesthesia. The aim of this case report is to highlight all possible causes of haemoptysis in an anaesthetist’s daily practice, and to emphasize that tuberculosis is one of the possible causes of haemoptysis and a re-emerging disease. Case Report A young male patient, heavy smoker, submitted for emergency surgery, presented massive haemoptysis after uneventful regional anaesthesia. He was admitted to the ICU and discharged 48 h later. Initial diagnosis was lidocaineinduced cardiomyopathy. He received anti-tuberculosis treatment based on a positive Mantoux test. He completely recovered a year later. Conclusion Since tuberculosis is a re-emerging disease, preoperative evaluation should be more careful.