Mediastinal migration of self-expanding bronchial stents in the management of malignant bronchoesophageal fistula

Chest. 2009 May;135(5):1353-1355. doi: 10.1378/chest.08-2066.

Abstract

Airway stents are commonly used to palliate malignant central airway obstruction and tracheo-/bronchoesophageal fistulas. Despite their efficacy in immediately relieving airway obstruction, they can be associated with a variety of complications. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman with a malignant bronchoesophageal fistula treated initially with a self-expanding silicone mesh stent in the left main bronchus followed 2 weeks later by an esophageal stent. Shortly afterward, she presented with chest pain, worsening cough, and breathlessness. A CT scan of the chest revealed the airway stent in the contralateral mediastinum perforating the right main bronchus. We discuss her subsequent management and complications associated with self-expanding airway stents in this setting.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma / therapy*
  • Adult
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Bronchial Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Diseases / etiology*
  • Bronchial Fistula / etiology
  • Bronchial Fistula / therapy*
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology
  • Esophageal Fistula / therapy*
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Female
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications*
  • Humans
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / complications
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Mediastinum
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Stents / adverse effects*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed