Management of malignant tracheobronchial obstruction

Malignant airway obstruction produces symptoms of dyspnea, cough, and stridor with a significant impact on quality of life. With progressive airway narrowing, a critical stenosis is life threatening, due to impending suffocation. Bronchoscopy provides the mainstay of establishing the diagnosis as well as defining the extent and degree of airway obstruction. Therapeutic bronchoscopy provides the ability to achieve prompt airway stabilization while completing a patient evaluation and workup.