Search

Malignant Central Airway Obstruction (MCAO) encompasses significant and symptomatic narrowing of the central airways that can occur due to primary lung cancer or metastatic disease. Therapeutic bronchoscopy is associated with high technical success and symptomatic relief and includes a wide range of airway interventions including airway stents. Published literature suggests that stenting practices vary significantly across the world primarily due to lack of guidance. This document aims to address this knowledge gap by addressing relevant questions related to airway stenting in MCAO. An international group of 17 experts from 17 institutions across 11 countries with experience in using airway stenting for MCAO was convened as part of this guideline statement through the World Association for Bronchology and Interventional Pulmonology (WABIP). We performed a literature and internet search for reports addressing six clinically relevant questions. This guideline statement, consisting of recommendations addressing these six PICO questions, was formulated by a systematic and rigorous process involving the evaluation of published evidence, augmented with expert experience when necessary. Panel members participated in the development of the final recommendations using the modified Delphi technique., (© 2024 The Author(s). Respirology published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Asian Pacific Society of Respirology.)

The airway stents restore patency in the face of luminal compromise from intrinsic and/or extrinsic pathologies. Luminal compromise beyond 50% often leads to debilitating symptoms such as dyspnea. Silicone stents remain the most commonly placed stents worldwide and have been the "gold standard" for the treatment of benign and malignant airway stenoses over the past 20 years. Nevertheless, silicone stents are not the ideal stents in all situations. Metallic stents can serve better in some selected conditions. Unlike silicone stents, there are large and increasing varieties of metallic stents available on the market. The lack of prospective or comparative studies between various types of metallic stents makes the choice difficult and expert-opinion based. International guidelines are sorely lacking in this area.

Severe endobronchial papillomatosis is associated with recurrent respiratory infections and airway obstruction. Current management includes treatment with antiviral and cytotoxic agents to slow papilloma growth and endobronchial therapies to excise the lesions. We report 2 cases of severe tracheobronchial papillomatosis which were managed with endobronchial laser and airway stenting. A 32-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman with known history of tracheobronchial papillomatosis were admitted with hemoptysis and dyspnea, respectively. They presented increasing frequencies of respiratory infections in the preceding year despite therapy with interferon alpha-2A, acyclovir, methotrexate and endobronchial treatment. Moreover, the 2nd patient presented 6 months previously to another institution with central airway obstruction which was treated with a covered metallic stent. Both patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy which revealed airway obstruction by papillomatous lesions. In the 2nd case, the metallic stent was broken due to fatigue and was infiltrated by a giant papilloma. Both patients received laser treatment and airway silicone stenting. After stenting, respiratory infection rate was greatly reduced and no further complications related to the papillomas occurred. This paper highlights the serious complications which may arise if endobronchial management of the disease includes insertion of metallic stents. In contrast, airway stenting with a silicone prosthesis may be useful in refractory endobronchial papillomatosis and may offer permanent control of symptoms., (Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)