title: The role of endobronchial electrocautery in the management of malignant airway obstruction.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Department, Tallaght Hospital, Dublin.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kamal
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Quadri
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Cullen
mesh_terms: 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