The role of endobronchial electrocautery in the management of malignant airway obstruction.
Bronchoscopy has evolved well beyond a simple look-see examination, with new interventional techniques becoming more commonly employed. So-called interventional bronchoscopy implies the use of bronchoscopy as a therapeutic, in addition to diagnostic, tool. We present 2 cases to illustrate the utility of one such interventional technique, tumour ablation by endobronchial electrocautery and snaring, in the management of airway obstruction by tumour. This procedure, performed via a flexible bronchoscope under local anaesthesia can spare patients time-consuming, expensive treatments with their attendant morbidity, and in some cases can be life-saving. There is minimal morbidity associated with this technique. It is anticipated that interventional bronchoscopy will continue to revolutionise management of such conditions in the future, and become a necessary facility in all pulmonary medicine units.
Kamal
I
I
Respiratory Department, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin.
Quadri
T
T
Lane
S J
SJ
Cullen
J P
JP
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001984:Bronchial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography