title: [Brachytherapy: endobronchial irradiation for primary and secondary bronchial tumors].
abstract: Intrabronchial obstruction is one of the serious complications of primary and secondary lung tumors. Brachytherapy (intraluminal irradiation) aims at palliation and opening airway obstruction. Of our first 10 patients, 4 had primary and 6 metastatic pulmonary lesions. Brachytherapy was administered through the fiberoptic bronchoscope under topical anesthesia from a 192iridium source delivered with an afterload system. In 3 patients laser therapy was used initially. In 6 complete opening of the airway was achieved, and in 3 others partial opening. In all patients there was symptomatic relief without significant side-effects. We conclude that endobronchial brachytherapy is a safe, useful procedure for palliation of malignant endobronchial obstruction.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Institute, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Ein Karem, Jerusalem.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Berkman
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Weshler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care
chemical_list: D007496:Iridium Radioisotopes