Successful use of high dose rate brachytherapy for non-malignant bronchial obstruction
- Pulmonary Institute and Radiotherapy Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Professor M Kramer, Pulmonary Institute, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petah Tiqva 49100, Israelpulm{at}netvision.net.il
- Received 3 May 2000
- Revision requested 7 August 2000
- Revised 7 September 2000
- Accepted 6 October 2000
Abstract
High dose rate (HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy is a palliative treatment for symptomatic airway obstruction by malignant tumours. We report a novel use of HDR brachytherapy for treating non-malignant bronchial obstruction. The patient had a metal stent placed in a reconstructed airway after a bronchial tear to ensure patency. Granulation tissue formation in and around the stent caused symptomatic occlusion of the airway, necessitating multiple laser applications. A single treatment of HDR brachytherapy (1000 cGy) was delivered following laser therapy. The patient remains well 15 months after treatment with no evidence of recurrent granulation tissue formation on bronchoscopy. HDR brachytherapy is an effective treatment for non-malignant airway obstruction.
