TRACHEAL AND ESOPHAGEAL STENTING FOR CARCINOMA OF THE UPPER ESOPHAGUSINVADING THE TRACHEOBRONCHIAL TREE

Two cases of combined tracheal and oesophageal stenting for carcinoma of the upper oesophagus invading the tracheo-bronchial tree are descri bed. Case 1 describes the complication of respiratory distress followi ng insertion of a high oesophageal stent. This caused severe strider w hich required tracheal stenting. In case 2 prophylactic stenting of th e airway prior to oesophageal stenting was performed as a staging CT d emonstrated severe compromise of the distal trachea/bronchus in a pati ent who was experiencing both dysphagia and dyspnoea, In both cases th e respiratory and dyspnoeic symptoms were relieved. These cases illust rate the effective use of tracheal/bronchial and oesophageal metal ste nts in palliating patients with combined respiratory and dysphagic sym ptoms secondary to oesophageal malignancy. When treating high oesophag eal tumours tracheal compromise should be considered and prophylactic stenting of the airway prior to oesophageal stenting performed to avoi d further airway compromise when the oesophageal stent expands.