RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Successful use of high dose rate brachytherapy for non-malignant bronchial obstruction
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 415
OP 416
DO 10.1136/thorax.56.5.415
VO 56
IS 5
A1 M R Kramer
A1 A Katz
A1 A Yarmolovsky
A1 D Schifter
A1 E Fenig
YR 2001
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/56/5/415.abstract
AB 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.