PMC6838518_01
1A) CT scan showing adenoid cystic carcinoma with near complete tracheal obstruction. 1B) Pieces of metal stent (nitinol wires) coughed out by the patient. 1C) Bronchoscopy showing the fractured wires (arrows) of the metal stent in the trachea. 1D) Follow up CT scan showing the fractured stent in the trachea with maintained tracheal patency.
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CT scan showed an infiltrative mass measuring 3.0 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm in the right lateral wall of the lower trachea about 1 cm above the carina causing significant airway obstruction (Fig. 1a). One day prior to radiotherapy, she coughed out 2 small stent pieces mixed with sputum (Fig. 1b). Bronchoscopy showed breaks in the wires of the stent in the left lateral aspect at 3 places (Fig. 1c). CT scan also revealed a patent tracheal stent with no focal soft tissue lesion seen within the trachea (Fig. 1d).