nitinol and Tuberculosis--Pulmonary

Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were successfully placed in nine patients with tuberculous bronchial strictures refractory to balloon dilation. Complications included stent migration (n = 1) and tissue hyperplasia at the proximal portion of the stent (n = 2). During the follow-up period (5-52 months), stricture recurred in three of five patients (60%) after temporary stent placement for 2 months, whereas stricture did not recur in the other four patients after temporary stent placement for 6 months. Temporary placement of covered retrievable stents appears to be an effective method for the treatment of patients with tuberculous bronchial strictures refractory to balloon dilation.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Alloys; Bronchial Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Male; Stents; Tuberculosis; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary