Dissolution of pulmonary carcinoma via argon-laser bronchoscopy. First clinical use of fiberoptic metal cautery cap heated by laser radiation.
A 60-year-old man with nonresectable lung cancer underwent bronchoscopy which revealed a large squamous cell tumor mass narrowing the free airway to the left lung. A flexible quartz fiber connected to an argon ion laser was then inserted through a hollow channel of the fiberoptic bronchoscope. The laser was activated to heat the metal cap on the distal tip of the fiber to thermally dissolve the mass and relieve airway obstruction.
D001128:Argon; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002425:Cautery / Q000295:instrumentation; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011791:Quartz
D011791:Quartz; D001128:Argon