Abstract
Background. In general, flexible bronchoscopy is performed under a supine position. This case report describes successful placement of a tracheal stent in a sitting patient unable to keep a supine position. The invaded esophageal tumor occupied the trachea lumen causing choking in a supine position. Case. A 60-year-old man in whom as refractory bronchial asthma had been diagnosed was transferred from another hospital. The patient had various respiratory distress symptoms depend on his position (sitting/supine) in our institution. Flexible bronchoscopy was performed looking for a trachea foreign body or tumor. A tumor occupying the tracheal lumen was found and needle aspiration cytology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. After flexible bronchoscopy procedure, enhanced thoracic CT revealed wall thickening of the esophagus and invaded into trachea. The patient could not keep a supine position due to tracheal obstruction by tumor. Placement tracheal stent in a sitting position. Combined modality therapy was performed by the gastrointestinal department. Conclusion. Invasive esophageal carcinoma growth due to direct invasion to trachea is rare. In the present case, under a sitting position placement of an expandable metallic stent was one of the options for this choking status patient.
