High-flow nasal cannula for oxygenation during emergency tracheal stenting under flexible bronchoscopy guidance

Central airway obstruction is a common complication of advanced esophageal carcinoma requiring bronchoscopic evaluation and intervention by a pulmonologist. Airway assessment by flexible bronchoscopy is crucial for the selection of the most suitable modality for the management of central airway obstruction. In such situations, flexible bronchoscopy may however be complicated by the development of hypoxemia. Oxygen therapy by high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has been used for the correction of hypoxemia for a number of conditions, including diagnostic bronchoscopy. This case report describes a successful use of HFNC for correction of severe hypoxemia during the placement of a metallic stent in a patient with tracheal obstruction due to esophageal carcinoma.