nitinol and Lung-Neoplasms

To assess the uncovered Ultraflex nitinol stent (Boston Scientific; Natick, MA) for its efficacy and safety.. Between October 1997 and October 1998, we carried out a prospective multicenter study at six hospitals in Japan. Fifty-four Ultraflex stents were inserted in 34 patients with inoperable malignant airway stenosis using a flexible and/or a rigid bronchoscope under fluoroscopic and endoscopic visualization.. Clinical, endoscopic examination, and pulmonary function on days 1, 30, and 60 after stent implantation showed improvement. In 19 patients (56%), stent implantation was performed as an emergency procedure because of life-threatening tracheobronchial obstruction. Immediate relief of dyspnea was achieved in 82% of the patients. The dyspnea index improved significantly after implantation (before vs. days 1, 30, and 60; p<0.001). Significant improvements were observed in obstruction of airway diameter (81+/-15% before vs. 14+/-17% on day 1, 12+/-12% on day 30, and 22+/-28% on day 60; p<0.001). Vital capacity (VC), FEV(1), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) increased significantly after stent implantation: before vs immediately after VC (p<0.01), FEV(1) (p<0.001), and PEF (p<0.05). The main complications were tumor ingrowth (24%) and tumor overgrowth (21%). After coagulation with an Nd-YAG laser or argon plasma coagulation, mechanical coring out using the bevel of a rigid bronchoscope was necessary in patients showing tumor ingrowth or overgrowth. Removal and reposition were possible in case of misplacement. There were no problems with migration and retained secretions. The median survival time of patients was 3 months. The 1-year survival rate was 25.4%.. In this study of the Ultraflex nitinol stent, we have demonstrated that patients were relieved from dyspnea, which contributed to improved quality of life, with minimal complications. This stent can be used safely, even in the subglottic region. Owing to its excellent flexibility and biocompatibility, the stent is also indicated in certain complicated situations, eg, narrow stenosis, hourglass stenosis, curvilinear stenosis, bilateral mainstem bronchial stenoses, and long stenosis of varying diameters.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alloys; Biocompatible Materials; Bronchoscopy; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mediastinal Neoplasms; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Design; Prosthesis Implantation; Respiratory Function Tests; Safety; Stents; Tracheal Stenosis

The aim of the study was to assess the early clinical experience with the Zilver Vena stent in treating patients with malignant superior vena cava syndrome.. Demographic, procedural, and follow-up data of 12 patients (seven women; mean age 69 years) treated for superior vena cava syndrome with in all 21 Zilver Vena stents between March 2012 and October 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. All cavographies and contrast enhanced CT related to the treatment and during follow-up were evaluated and the patients had clinical follow-up until dead. They were all in terminal state at the time of stent deployment.. All patients had superior vena cava obstruction and clinical superior vena cava syndrome caused by malignant expansive mediastinal disease (eight patients non-small cell lung cancer and four small cell lung cancer). The technical success with deployment of the stents in the intended position was 75%. Good clinical effect with resolution of superior vena cava syndrome was achieved in 11 of the 12 patients (92%).. The Zilver Vena stent appeared to be safe, easy to deploy, and showed good clinical outcome. The high radial force of the stent might be of advantage in these patients with expanding masses around the superior vena cava.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alloys; Endovascular Procedures; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Phlebography; Prosthesis Design; Retrospective Studies; Severity of Illness Index; Stents; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome; Time Factors; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Airway Obstruction; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Bronchoscopy; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Constriction, Pathologic; Humans; Laser Therapy; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Predictive Value of Tests; Prosthesis Design; Stents; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Stenosis; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Ciliary Motility Disorders; Constriction, Pathologic; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Mucociliary Clearance; Nasal Mucosa; Palliative Care; Prosthesis Design; Quality of Life; Stents

The objective of our study was to assess MRI issues at 3 T for a newly developed fiducial marker used to localize lung lesions.. A fiducial marker designed for lung lesions (super-Lock Cobra) was investigated at 3 T for magnetic field interactions, MRI-related heating, and artifacts using standardized techniques. Magnetic field interactions were assessed with regard to translational attraction and torque. MRI-related heating was characterized by placing the marker in a gelled-saline-filled head-torso phantom and performing MRI using a transmit-receive radiofrequency body coil at an MR system-reported, whole-body-averaged specific absorption rate of 2.9 W/kg for 15 minutes. Artifacts were measured for the marker on MR images obtained using T1-weighted spin-echo and gradient-echo pulse sequences.. The fiducial marker displayed very low magnetic field interactions (2° deflection angle and no torque) at 3 T. MRI-related heating was at the same level as the "background" (i.e., phantom heating without the marker) temperature rise. Artifacts were relatively small in relation to the size and shape of the marker.. The results of this investigation show that there are no MRI-related safety concerns and, thus, that it would be acceptable (i.e., "MR conditional") for a patient with this new fiducial marker to be examined using MRI at 3 T or less. Artifacts, although relatively small, may create issues if the area of interest is the same as that of the marker or if the interpreting radiologist does not know the marker is present.

Topics: Alloys; Artifacts; Equipment Design; Fiducial Markers; Gold; Hot Temperature; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Lung Neoplasms; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Phantoms, Imaging

Placement of a single new-generation nitinol stent resulted in acute pericardial tamponade in a 70-year-old man with superior vena cava syndrome.

Topics: Acute Disease; Aged; Alloys; Angioplasty, Balloon; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cardiac Tamponade; Electrocardiography; Hemodynamics; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Pericardiocentesis; Phlebography; Prosthesis Design; Stents; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Treatment Outcome

Topics: Alloys; Carcinoma, Neuroendocrine; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Phlebography; Radiography, Thoracic; Recurrence; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma; Steel; Stents; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Ultrasonography, Doppler

A metallic stent for tracheobronchial stenosis provides a possible solution for poststenting complications such as sputum retention. We describe our experience with a novel anatomy-conforming metal stent placement at the carina.. A windowed stent was designed to match the tracheobronchial anatomy. The lateral window was used as a passage from the trachea to the contralateral main bronchus.. Six windowed stents were placed in 6 patients (mean age, 52.3 years). Two patients received an additional short straight stent placed in the contralateral bronchus, forming an overall Y stent at the carina. All patients had immediate relief from respiratory distress, and no sputum retention or stent migration occurred during the subsequent treatment period. Follow-up data showed that 4 patients are still alive. One patient died 2 months after stent placement of postradiation hemoptysis, and another died of metastasis 14 months after stent placement.. This anatomy-conforming metal stent has several advantages and its application in carinal stenosis is both effective and safe.

Topics: Adult; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Bronchoscopy; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Constriction, Pathologic; Dyspnea; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Respiratory Insufficiency; Stents; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Neoplasms; Tracheal Stenosis

Topics: Adult; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Constriction, Pathologic; Equipment Design; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Stents; Tracheal Neoplasms; Tracheal Stenosis

Dysphagia is the most common disabling symptom in patients with inoperable esophagogastric carcinoma. Self-expanding metal stents are highly effective in the palliation of these patients.. In 35 patients with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus or the stomach, with recurrent tumor or complications after transhiatal esophagectomy or gastrectomy or with esophageal stenosis caused by pulmonary cancer, a self-expanding nitinol stent was placed to reduce dysphagia. Dysphagia and WHO performance status were assessed, before and after stent placement.. In 35 patients, 39 stents were placed without technical problems. Dysphagia improved significantly. The WHO performance status remained stable. Mean survival of all patients was 11 weeks. Major complications occurred in 3 patients. One patient died of massive tumor bleeding. Minor complications such as stent migration or retrosternal pain occurred in 5 patients. In 2 patients the migrated stent could successfully be placed in the correct position after giving ice-cooled water through the endoscope. Four patients had esophagorespiratory fistulas which were all initially successfully occluded.. This nitinol stent is highly effective for improving dysphagia in patients with malignant esophagogastric obstruction. We observed no procedure-related complications. Bleeding was the principal major complication. The early intake of cold beverages resulted in stent migration. Recurrent dysphagia due to overgrowth by tumor or nonmalignant tissue remains a problem. Technical improvements are desirable to reduce the overgrowth by nonmalignant tissue.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alloys; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagectomy; Female; Gastrectomy; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Prosthesis Implantation; Statistics, Nonparametric; Stents; Stomach Neoplasms; Time Factors; World Health Organization

To assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of the parallel placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures.. Under fluoroscopic guidance, parallel stents were placed in 12 symptomatic patients with both malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures. Seven of these 12 patients also had an esophagorespiratory fistula (ERF) and one patient had an esophagocutaneous fistula. Technical success, clinical improvement, complications, and survival rates were evaluated.. A total of 28 esophageal and airway stents were successfully placed. The grade of dysphagia and dyspnea score significantly decreased after stent placement (P=0.002 and 0.003, respectively). ERF and esophagocutaneous fistula were sealed off in all eight patients after esophageal stent placement; however, the esophagocutaneous fistula reopened 1 month later. Complications included stent migration or expectoration (n=3), tracheal compression by the esophageal stent (n=3), new fistula development due to covering membrane degradation of the esophageal stent (n=1), and symptomatic sputum retention (n=1). Stent removal was easily performed for two stents; one migrated stent and the other with covering membrane degradation. All 12 patients died within the mean survival period of 72.50 days (range 7-375 days).. Parallel placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Esophageal Fistula; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagus; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Postoperative Complications; Radiography; Retrospective Studies; Stents; Survival Rate; Trachea; Tracheal Stenosis; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of a covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent for the treatment of malignant tracheobronchial stricture and/or esophagorespiratory fistula (ERF).. With fluoroscopic guidance, stents were placed in 35 symptomatic patients with malignant tracheobronchial stricture and/or ERF in most cases caused by lung or esophageal cancer. The site of stricture was most commonly at the trachea or left main bronchus. If there were complications, the stent was removed with a retrieval set. Nine patients had combined symptomatic ERF.. A total of 47 tracheobronchial stents were placed and were technically successful and well-tolerated in all patients. Improvement of dyspnea was achieved in 92% of the patients (24 of 26 patients). Associated ERF in nine patients was effectively treated with tracheobronchial stent placement with or without esophageal stent placement. Stent migration, tumor overgrowth, symptomatic sputum retention, and hemoptysis occurred in 17% (6/35), 6% (2/35), 20% (7/35), and 17% (6/35) of patients, respectively. There were no documented cases of tumor ingrowth. Stent removal was performed easily in five patients when stent migration (n = 2), severe pain (n = 1), tumor overgrowth (n = 1), or persistent gastrobronchial fistula (n = 1) developed. All patients died 2 days to 26 weeks (mean, 9.62 weeks) after stent placement because of disease progression (n = 18), pneumonia (n = 9), hemoptysis (n = 5), or unknown cause (n = 3).. Use of a covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent is a safe and effective method for relieving dyspnea. This procedure contributed to improved quality of life for patients with malignant tracheobronchial stricture and/or ERF. Stent retrievability was useful in resolving stent-related complications.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Dyspnea; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Radiography, Interventional; Stents; Tracheal Stenosis; Tracheoesophageal Fistula; Treatment Outcome

Assessment of the therapeutic potential of tracheobronchial stenting for obstructive tracheobronchial disease, in-vivo comparison of different stent types and development of helpful criteria for choosing the suitable stent type.. Prospective case analysis. Between 1993 and 1999 53 stents were implanted into the tracheobronchial system of 39 consecutive patients with benign or malignant airway obstruction. Every single stent (26 Strecker Stents, 18 Wallstents, 6 Accuflex Nitinolstents, 1 Dumon-, 1 Rüsch- and 1 Palmazstent) was recorded in an unified database. Analysis comprised clinical effectiveness, lung function if possible, relevant complications and radiologic follow-up parameters. The probability of their remaining within the tracheobronchial system, of their remaining undislocated and uncompressed was calculated using Kaplan-Meier analysis for three stent types.. Stent placement proved itself to be an effective treatment in 86 % of the patients. Resistance could be normalized in 9/9 patients. Kaplan-Meier analysis clearly revealed a higher probability for the Wall- and Nitinolstent to remain within the tracheobronchial system and to remain uncompressed. Dislocation also occurred more rarely. Explantation of the Wallstent, however, if desired, was much more difficult compared to the Strecker stent. The Wallstent also occasionally led to the formation of granulation tissue especially at the proximal stent end and, as such, required reintervention.. Any of the 3 stent types proved to be an effective therapeutic option in the management of obstructive tracheobronchial disease. Choise of the stent type should be determined through definition of the therapeutic intention. It is useful to distinguish between (a) benign stenosis, (b) malignant stenosis but curative therapeutic situation and (c) malignant stenosis in a palliative therapeutic situation with limited life expectancy. In spite of its superior mechanical properties the Wallstent is rather suited for a palliative situation because explantation may be difficult. The Strecker Stent requires more reinterventions but removal is easy to perform. The Nitinolstent possibly represents a reasonable compromise.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Airway Obstruction; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Bronchoscopy; Child; Child, Preschool; Device Removal; Equipment Failure Analysis; Female; Humans; Infant; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Patient Care Team; Prosthesis Design; Radiology, Interventional; Stents; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tracheal Stenosis

Nd-YAG non-contact laser therapy is used to eliminate recurrent tumor tissue within airway stents. This study was performed to determine maximum exposure time until the stent wire is destroyed as well as exposure time necessary to deliberately fracture the wire mesh.. Strecker stents, Wallstents, and Nitinol Accuflex stents were implanted into pig bronchi. Then Nd-YAG laser light was directed to the stent wires at different power levels. Portions of the stent surrounded by bronchial tissue as well as bare wires were investigated.. The Strecker stent and the Wallstent revealed a considerably higher laser resistance than did the Nitinol Accuflex stent. At 15 W, minimum exposure time until wire destruction was 4.6 and 6.3 s for the Strecker stent and the Wallstent respectively. In contrast, the Nitinol Accuflex stent tolerated only 1.7 s.. Laser therapy with bronchial wire stents can be carried out at low power levels. It should, however, be avoided in the case of Nitinol Accuflex stents due to their low heat tolerance.

Topics: Alloys; Animals; Bronchi; Bronchoscopy; Chromium Alloys; Laser Therapy; Lasers; Lung Neoplasms; Stents; Swine; Tantalum

For the purpose to observe the effectiveness of treatment in late stage patients with bronchogenic carcinoma by implanting nitinol alloy endotrachial stent, combined with endobronchial 192 iridium (Ir) and percutaneous radiotherapy.. The nitiol alloy endotrachial stent was put into the site of airway stenosis through a special introducer under direct optical fibrobronchoscopy without the help of X-ray examination nor guided steel-line. 192 Ir was inserted to the site of tumor via bronchofiberscope for endobronchial irradiation combining with percutaneous radiotherapy alternately.. In all 20 patients, 7 cases (35%) were completely cured and 11 cases (55%) showed partial recovery. The other 2 cases, no change or deteriorated. The 90% effective rate was significantly higher than 60% of control group (P < 0.05).. Dyspnea of patients could be immediately relieved after endobronchial stent was inserted. Combined endobronchial and percutaneous radiotherapy obviously alleviated the obstruction caused by trachial or bronchial neoplasms. The results suggested the combined therapy led to much better objective therapeutic effect and symptomatic relief than single percutaneous radiotherapy.

Topics: Aged; Alloys; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Brachytherapy; Bronchi; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Carcinoma, Small Cell; Combined Modality Therapy; Cyclophosphamide; Female; Humans; Iridium Radioisotopes; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Staging; Prednisone; Procarbazine; Stents; Survival Rate; Treatment Outcome; Vincristine

Silicone and metal stents are available for the treatment of malignant bronchial stenoses. This project sought to compare the self-expanding nitinol Accuflex stent (Boston Scientific Corp; Watertown, Mass) with the passively expandable tantalum Strecker stent (Boston Scientific Corp; Watertown, Mass), both implanted by flexible bronchoscopy under local anesthesia and sedation. In 51 patients with malignant bronchial stenosis, 14 nitinol and 51 tantalum stents were used and stenoses of 75 to 100% were treated. The intervention was successful in all but one patient; a mean patency of 93% was achieved. In the follow-up period, the probability of survival was significantly lower in patients with total bronchus occlusion than in patients with stenotic alterations (44 vs 109 days; p<0.05). In 10 patients, lung function analysis after stent implantation revealed a significant increase in PaO2 (65 vs 71 mm Hg; p<0.01), inspiratory vital capacity (2.5 vs 2.7 L; p<0.05), and FEV1 (1.8 vs 2.0 L; p<0.05). Mucus retention was the main (39%) adverse factor in the early phase after stent implantation, whereas tumor penetration became the most frequent problem (67%) in the later phase. Recanalizing interventions were necessary in 18% of the cases in which tumor penetration occurred. Stent distortion occurred in 12 patients with Strecker and in none with Accuflex stents. In comparison to the Strecker stent, the self-expanding Accuflex stent is preferable owing to its excellent flexibility and faster delivery system. Both types of stents could be sufficiently deployed within the lesion and allowed for highly precise positioning. Furthermore, no general anesthesia was required. The fiberbronchoscopic mode of implantation under sedation is very efficient even for tumor patients with severe impairment of their physical and respiratory condition.

Topics: Alloys; Anesthesia, Local; Bronchial Diseases; Bronchoscopes; Bronchoscopy; Constriction, Pathologic; Equipment Design; Esophageal Neoplasms; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Respiratory Function Tests; Stents; Survival Rate; Tantalum; Time Factors

Stent implantation in malignant bronchial stenoses is a highly effective method of providing symptomatic relief by restoring bronchial patency. Whether an improvement in ventilatory conditions is paralleled by an increase in blood flow and gas exchange has not yet been determined.. Fourteen patients with malignant, high-grade obstruction of bronchi who had metal stent implantation were investigated. Before the intervention and again 8 days afterward, both quantitative technegas ventilation and 99mTc-MAA perfusion scans (V/Q scans) and lung function tests were performed.. Stent implantation was successful in all patients, with a significant reduction in the degree of bronchial stenosis (pre-stent: 93% +/- 1.5%; post-stent: 16% +/- 3.5%). After stent implantation, ventilation scintigraphy revealed an improvement in tracer deposition by 65% (pre-stent: 37% +/- 8%; post-stent: 61% +/- 6%; p < 0.05) within the affected lung. A complementary increase of 71% by perfusion scintigraphy was obtained (pre-stent: 27% +/- 4%; post-stent: 46% +/- 5%; p < 0.01%). Based on scintigraphic criteria, stenting was successful in 93% (n = 13) of all patients. Lung function studies performed after the intervention showed significant improvement in vital capacity (VC, p < 0.01), forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1, p < 0.05), peak expiratory flow (PEF, p < 0.05), arterial oxygen (PaO2, p < 0.05) and carbon dioxide (PaCO2, p < 0.05) tension, and oxygen saturation (p < 0.05).. Stenting of malignant high-grade bronchial obstructions leads to an increase in bronchial patency and in activity distribution of both ventilation and perfusion scintigraphy of the affected lung, accompanied by significant improvement in lung function parameters.

Topics: Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Equipment Design; Female; Graphite; Humans; Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Radionuclide Imaging; Respiratory Function Tests; Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; Stents; Tantalum; Technetium Tc 99m Aggregated Albumin; Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio

To evaluate the usefulness of self-expanding nitinol stents in the palliative treatment of malignant dysphagia.. Eighty self-expanding nitinol stents were placed in 59 patients (43 men, 16 women; mean age, 55 years; age range, 23-75 years) with inoperable malignant stenosis due to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (n = 36), adenocarcinoma (n = 19), invasion of the esophagus due to carcinoma of the lung (n = 2), and recurrent anastomotic carcinoma (n = 2). Dysphagia was graded on a scale of 0 to 3. Follow-up esophagograms were obtained to evaluate stent patency.. Stent placement was successful in all patients. The severity of dysphagia decreased at least one grade in all but one patient. Tumor ingrowth and overgrowth were seen in 21 (36%) patients 2 days to 7 months after stent placement and caused recurrent dysphagia. These 21 patients underwent balloon dilation and additional stent placement. A mediastinal fistula was seen in three patients (5%), ulceration in four (7%), stent torsion in three (5%), and incomplete expansion of the stent in two (2%). Repeat intervention was necessary in 51% of the patients.. There is a substantial range of drawbacks and complications associated with the use of self-expanding nitinol stents for palliation of malignant esophageal strictures. A covering would be necessary to prevent tumor ingrowth.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Adult; Aged; Alloys; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Deglutition Disorders; Esophageal Neoplasms; Esophageal Stenosis; Esophagus; Female; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Palliative Care; Radiography; Stents

A 57-year-old man was admitted because of dysphagia. Two year earlier, endoscopic ND-YAG laser treatment had been performed for squamous cell carcinoma of the tracheal carina. The esophagus was compressed and narrowed by invasion of lung cancer. After ballooning, under endoscopic and fluoroscopic control, a self-expanding nitinol stent (SENS, Ultraflex, Microvasive) was implanted in the esophagus. Immediately after esophageal prosthesis implantation, severe dyspnea and stridor developed because of tumor strictures in the left main bronchus. Under fluoroscopic and guide-wire control, SENS (Accuflex, Microvasive) was implanted in the tracheobronchial tree. Dyspnea, dysphagia and stridor were markedly improved after placement of two nitinol stents. Highly flexible, knitted, self-expanding nitinol stent is made of a nickel titanium alloy. Although the implantation of SENS in tracheobronchial stenosis has not previously been reported, it should be useful for prevention of airway obstruction.

Topics: Alloys; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Esophageal Stenosis; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Quality of Life; Stents; Tracheal Stenosis