Tracheobronchial stents in mucopolysaccharidosis

The mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of hereditary disorders pathologically characterized by tissue accumulation of glycosaminoglycans due to deficient lysosomal metabolism which often leads to progressive airway stenosis and respiratory insufficiency. Relentless and treatment-refractory narrowing of the lower airways with ensuing severe limitation of quality of life is a challenging problem in mucopolysaccharidoses.

We report 2 cases of MPS (Hunter's and Maroteaux-Lamy's syndrome resp.) in whom tracheal stents were placed to relieve severe tracheal obstruction. The first patient could be weaned from mechanical ventilation after stent placement but showed significant long-term stent-related morbidity. The second patient suffered a severe procedure-related complication due to positioning problems typical for MPS.

Very good short-term success can be achieved with airway stent placement in patients with MPS and severe lower airway stenosis but a high risk of severe complications and important long-term morbidity have to be weighed against potential individual benefit.