PMC3232481_01
Post-operative chest x-ray and intra-bronchial contrast material with initial tracheal stent in place. Note the pulmonary hyper inflation
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F3
Thus, a balloon-expandable intraluminal metallic Palmaz endovascular stent (8-12mm diameter, 30mm length) was inserted into the trachea under fluoroscopic guidance (Fig. 3).
Intraluminal ballooning of Palmaz stent to a wider diameter
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F4
Two days later, he underwent balloon dilation of his stent (Figs. 4-6) and residual granulation tissue (balloon size 8).
Result of ballooned stent. Note the persistent malacia of the left mainstem bronchus visible on the bronchogram (as compared to Figure 2)
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F5
Two days later, he underwent balloon dilation of his stent (Figs. 4-6) and residual granulation tissue (balloon size 8).
Final result showing a dilated stent and widely patent distal airway (as compared to Figure 5)
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F6
Two days later, he underwent balloon dilation of his stent (Figs. 4-6) and residual granulation tissue (balloon size 8).
Chest x-ray prior to last discharge with clear distal lung fields and dilated stent
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F7
Finally, after two and a half months of hospitalization, he was breathing comfortably on room air, was afebrile, had a clear chest auscultation and x-ray image with well expanded lungs beyond a well-positioned Palmaz stent (Fig. 7).
Flexible bronchoscopy image of intra-luminal tracheal Palmaz stent in place
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F8
Obvious close follow-up with bronchoscopy is planned since this last admission (Fig. 8).