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Eur Respir J 2008; 31:902-903
Copyright ©ERS Journals Ltd 2008

Optimisation of bronchial brachytherapy catheter placement with a modified airway stent

M. P. Kennedy1, C. A. Jimenez1, J. Chang2, F. Fossella3, G. A. Eapen1 and R. C. Morice1

Depts of 1 Pulmonary Medicine, 2 Radiation Oncology, and 3 Thoracic Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, TX, USA.

CORRESPONDENCE: C. A. Jimenez, Dept of Pulmonary Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Unit 403, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Fax: 1 7137944922. E-mail: cajimenez{at}mdanderson.org

Keywords: Brachytherapy, bronchoscopy, lung cancer, radiotherapy

Received: July 3, 2007
Accepted August 23, 2007

Brachytherapy is a modality of treatment available for lung cancer with tracheal involvement. Correct positioning of the brachytherapy catheter is vital to the optimisation of treatment effect and reduction of complications. Normal airway anatomy and tumour location can make this positioning difficult.

The current study presents the case of a 65-yr-old male with invasive tracheal squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior main carina involving the proximal left and right bronchus.

The patient was successfully treated with brachytherapy using a novel modified airway stent with a traversing suture for positioning and stabilising the brachytherapy catheters and maximisation of the radiation effect.

This simple yet innovative modification of readily available bronchoscopic equipment permits approximation and fixation of a brachytherapy catheter to any part of the proximal airway. Further analysis of this technique, including a prospective controlled trial, is planned.






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Copyright © 2008 by the European Respiratory Society.