ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, pathological characteristics, management and prognosis of airway hemangioma, and improve the level of the diagnosis and therapy.MethodsThe clinical data of a patient with airway hemangioma admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University were retrospectively analyzed. The related literatures were reviewed. Databases including PubMed, Ovid Medline, Embase, VIP, Wanfang and Chinese National Knowledge infrastructure were searched using the keywords as " Trachea” OR " Bronchus” AND " Hemangioma” from January 1976 to October 2016.ResultsThe patient was a 32-year-old male presented with hemoptysis and backache more than 10 days. His enhanced chest CT scan revealed thickening of the esophagus wall and narrowing of the lumen of esophagus. A wide range of vascular tumor like changes in the trachea and the two sides of bronchus were found by the fiberoptic bronchoscopy and gastroscope examination suggested esophageal varices. Although the patient had a wide range of airway lesions, the symptom of hemoptysis was relieved after the conservative treatment. The patient’s condition was stable until now. From January 1976 to October 2016, a total of 34 related articles were retrieved and 36 cases of airway hemangioma were reported. The etiology of the disease remains unknown. Recurrent hemoptysis was the common symptoms of airway hemangioma, and imaging changes lacking characteristics. Histopathological examination revealed dilated, thin-walled and different size of vascular or hyperplastic capillary and immunohistochemical staining was positive for vascular endothelial cell specific CD34 and Ⅷ factor.ConclusionsHemangioma is a common benign tumor of head and neck in infants and children. Hemangioma is very rarely occurred in trachea in adults. Clinical and imaging manifestations are not specific, and diagnosis relies on histopathological examination. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy and three dimensional reconstruction of thoracic vessels with CT play important roles in the whole process of diagnosis and treatment of airway hemangioma. It should be differentiated from lymphangioma. The prognosis of airway hemangioma is good.