Endobronchial Tumor With Ball Valve Mechanism: A Real Airway Emergency

Central airway obstruction due to the tumor can present as near-complete tracheal obstruction. The results can be life-threatening requiring emergent intervention. Rigid bronchoscopy has been preferred for the management of central airway obstruction. However, there are relatively few studies comparing rigid bronchoscopy and flexible bronchoscopy in treating these cases. We describe a 61-year-old woman with a lower trachea tumor with ball valve occlusion of the left mainstem bronchus and complete occlusion of the right mainstem bronchus successfully managed with flexible bronchoscopy and iCAST(® )stent. We herein highlight the role of therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy with airway stenting as an efficacious treatment modality for the management of malignant central airway obstruction.