Management of tracheal obstruction caused by benign or malignant thyroid disease using covered retrievable self-expandable nitinol stents.

BACKGROUND: Curative resection is often contraindicated in patients with airway obstruction by aggressive thyroid disease.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of covered retrievable self-expandable nitinol stents placed in patients with airway obstruction caused by benign or malignant thyroid disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 1996 to 2009, covered retrievable self-expandable nitinol stents were placed in nine symptomatic patients with malignant (n=7) or benign (n=2) thyroid disease. Improvement in patient respiratory status, complications and their management, and survival data were evaluated. Stents were removed if stent-related complications occurred or the stents were no longer necessary.

RESULTS: A total of 11 stents were successfully placed without procedure-related complications. Improvement of more than one dyspnea grade was seen in eight of nine patients (89%), while the ninth patient underwent intubation due to upper airway swelling. Stent migration, sputum retention, and tumor overgrowth occurred in 27.3% (n=3), 9.1% (n=1), and 9.1% (n=1) of the stents, respectively. A total of six stents were successfully removed because of stent-related complications (n=4) or after total thyroidectomy (n=2). In two patients with benign thyroid goiters, a stable airway was maintained until total thyroidectomy.

CONCLUSION: Placement of covered retrievable self-expandable nitinol stents was safe and effective in patients with airway obstruction caused by benign or malignant thyroid disease. Stent retrievability was very useful in cases of stent-related complications. In patients with benign thyroid disease, stent placement can serve as an effective bridge to surgery.