ABSTRACT
Endobronchial ablative therapies are used to address a variety of malignant and benign airway lesions. By utilizing endobronchial ablative techniques patients with symptomatic airway lesions may receive significant symptom improvement, improved quality of life, and improved life expectancy. Endobronchial ablative therapies include laser, electrocautery, argon plasma coagulation, cryotherapy, brachytherapy, and photodynamic therapy. The choice to use one therapy versus another depends on technical and patient specific factors. This article reviews indications and contraindications for each therapy, discusses details related to each endobronchial ablative therapy, complications of endobronchial ablative therapies, and briefly discusses practical consideration with endobronchial ablative therapies.
Subject(s)
Ablation Techniques , Airway Obstruction/therapy , Bronchial Diseases/therapy , Bronchoscopy/methods , Ablation Techniques/methods , Contraindications , Cryotherapy , Electrocoagulation , Humans , Laser Therapy , PhotochemotherapyABSTRACT
Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM) and hyperdynamic airway collapse (HDAC) can be debilitating diseases associated with decreased functional capacity and poor quality of life, although there is no standard definition of this complex condition, and there are numerous terms used to describe it. The diverse etiology associated with TBM and HDAC can obscure and delay an accurate diagnosis for years. A thorough medical history is important in understanding possible causes and in guiding diagnostic testing. Medical history may also suggest what treatments may be most beneficial.
Subject(s)
Tracheal Diseases/diagnosis , Tracheobronchomalacia/diagnosis , Tracheomalacia/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Tracheal Diseases/epidemiology , Tracheal Diseases/etiology , Tracheal Diseases/therapy , Tracheobronchomalacia/epidemiology , Tracheobronchomalacia/etiology , Tracheobronchomalacia/therapy , Tracheomalacia/epidemiology , Tracheomalacia/etiology , Tracheomalacia/therapyABSTRACT
Paraganglioma of the trachea is a rare neoplasm, with fewer than 15 cases reported. A 40-year-old man presented with stridor and hemoptysis. Bronchoscopy demonstrated a tumor of the posterior trachea and biopsy initially suggested typical carcinoid. The patient underwent surgical resection uneventfully and made a good recovery. Final pathology disclosed the tumor to be a paraganglioma based on immunohistology. The pathophysiology and treatment of this tumor are discussed.
Subject(s)
Carcinoid Tumor/diagnosis , Paraganglioma/diagnosis , Paraganglioma/surgery , Tracheal Neoplasms/diagnosis , Tracheal Neoplasms/surgery , Adult , Airway Obstruction/diagnosis , Airway Obstruction/etiology , Biopsy, Needle , Bronchoscopy/methods , Carcinoid Tumor/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Follow-Up Studies , Hemoptysis/diagnosis , Hemoptysis/etiology , Humans , Immunohistochemistry , Laryngoscopy/methods , Male , Rare Diseases , Respiratory Sounds/diagnosis , Respiratory Sounds/etiology , Risk Assessment , Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Foreign body (FB) aspiration can be a life-threatening event. Although more common in children, FB aspiration can occur at any age. Symptoms related to FB aspiration range from coughing and shortness of breath to asphyxiation. Chest imaging can be nonspecific and infrequently identifies an FB. Herein, we describe a case of a 54-year-old male patient who aspirated an FB and experienced respiratory arrest. He failed to improve with conservative measures and required emergent bronchoscopy. He was found to have an FB in his proximal left mainstem bronchus that could not be removed using standard bronchoscopy and he was referred to our center for definitive care. We used a cryotherapy probe to remove the FB. We propose that cryotherapy is a useful tool to remove FBs that are soft and amenable to freezing.
