Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2025

Author Spotlight: Expanding Interventional Pulmonology Research with Robotic-Assisted Bronchoscopy
Published on: July 19, 2024
Transbronchial Cryoablation as Local Treatment for Central Airway Malignant Tumor
Masamitsu Hamakawa1, Takashi Niwa2, Yasushi Fukuda3
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kurashiki Central Hospital, Okayama, Japan, jnmhx652@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Transbronchial cryoablation has been performed for peripheral but not central airway malignant tumor. We demonstrate transbronchial cryoablation in 2 patients with central airway lesions.
Case Presentation:
Case 1 was an 86-year-old woman who developed intratracheal metastasis associated with postoperative recurrence of lung adenocarcinoma. The tumor was resected using a high-frequency electrosurgical snare and three transbronchial cryoablations. There was no tracheal recurrence in the 5 months after the third procedure. Case 2 was an 83-year-old man who developed intermediate bronchial metastasis associated with postoperative recurrence of lung squamous cell carcinoma. The tumor was resected using a high-frequency electrosurgical snare and one transbronchial cryoablation. There was no tumor recurrence in the bronchus intermedius for 12 months after treatment. In both cases, the only adverse event was minor bleeding.
Conclusion:
Transbronchial cryoablation deserves consideration as local treatment for central airway malignant tumors.

