Airway stenting for severe endobronchial papillomatosis

Severe endobronchial papillomatosis is associated with recurrent respiratory infections and airway obstruction. Current management includes treatment with antiviral and cytotoxic agents to slow papilloma growth and endobronchial therapies to excise the lesions. We report 2 cases of severe tracheobronchial papillomatosis which were managed with endobronchial laser and airway stenting. A 32-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman with known history of tracheobronchial papillomatosis were admitted with hemoptysis and dyspnea, respectively. They presented increasing frequencies of respiratory infections in the preceding year despite therapy with interferon alpha-2A, acyclovir, methotrexate and endobronchial treatment. Moreover, the 2nd patient presented 6 months previously to another institution with central airway obstruction which was treated with a covered metallic stent. Both patients underwent rigid bronchoscopy which revealed airway obstruction by papillomatous lesions. In the 2nd case, the metallic stent was broken due to fatigue and was infiltrated by a giant papilloma. Both patients received laser treatment and airway silicone stenting. After stenting, respiratory infection rate was greatly reduced and no further complications related to the papillomas occurred. This paper highlights the serious complications which may arise if endobronchial management of the disease includes insertion of metallic stents. In contrast, airway stenting with a silicone prosthesis may be useful in refractory endobronchial papillomatosis and may offer permanent control of symptoms.