Tracheal obstruction after placement of a metal wire expandable stent (Wallstent)

Metal wire expandable stents are increasingly being used to alleviate tracheal obstruction due to malignancies. Patients usually tolerate these stents well and experience good to excellent palliation of their symptoms [1]. We report a case in which severe tracheal obstruction occurred 5 days after placement of a Wallstent, caused by formation of fibrinoid plaques at the proximal end of the stent.