[Stent implantation in post-stenotic retention pneumonia caused by inoperable bronchial carcinoma]

The 65 year old patient referred to in this report has been suffering from an inoperable squamous cell carcinoma of the right superior lobe of the lung for the last two years. After therapeutic irradiation the disease subsided temporarily. Subsequently the patient became severely ill and was referred to hospital with high fever and refractory pneumonia. X-ray film revealed atelectasis of the right superior and central lobes and a pneumonic infiltration of the right inferior lobe. Bronchoscopy showed complete tumour stenoses of the superior and central lobes. The lower lobe of the lung was visualised as subtotally stenosed and obstructed by pus. Despite pathogen-directed antibiosis the poststenotic retention pneumonia did not heal. After laser recanalisation of the right inferior lobe we implanted an endobronchial stent. Subsequently, the pneumonia receded and the patient survived for five months relatively free from complaints.