A reappraisal of the causes of hemoptysis.

We reviewed the records of 264 patients who underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy for unexplained hemoptysis to determine the various causes of hemoptysis. Bronchogenic carcinoma (29%), bronchitis (23%), and idiopathic hemoptysis (22%) accounted for the majority of causes of hemoptysis. In contrast to older studies, the incidence of hemoptysis secondary to tuberculosis and bronchiectasis has decreased. Although our patient population is predominantly male and elderly, our data may well be representative of more recent epidemiologic trends in causes of hemoptysis.