Abstract
BackgroundOesophageal stents have several well-known respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia, fistula and airway compression. However, bilateral vocal cord paralysis has rarely been described.MethodsWe describe two patients who presented with refractory dysphagia due to malignant proximal oesophageal strictures. Both received palliative treatment consisting of fully covered self-expandable metal stents that were placed across the strictures.ResultsBoth patients developed inspiratory stridor and acute hypoxemic respiratory failure shortly after the stent was placed. Flexible bronchoscopy revealed vocal cord paralysis in paramedian position, potentially due to extrinsic compression of the posterior branch of the recurrent laryngeal nerve following the progressive opening of the esophageal prosthesis. One patient recovered after the stent was removed.ConclusionsBilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare but potentially fatal complication of proximal esophagus stenting.
Highlights
Oesophageal stents have several well-known respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia, fistula and airway compression
* Correspondence: marjolaine.georges@chu-dijon.fr 1Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care, Reference Center for Adult Rare Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital of Dijon – Bourgogne, Dijon, France 3University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Dijon, France Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
A flexible bronchoscopy showed tracheal stenosis due to an apparently malignant endotracheal mass combined with external airway compression
Summary
Oesophageal stents have several well-known respiratory complications, including aspiration pneumonia, fistula and airway compression. Bilateral vocal cord paralysis has rarely been described. * Correspondence: marjolaine.georges@chu-dijon.fr 1Department of Respiratory Diseases and Intensive Care, Reference Center for Adult Rare Pulmonary Diseases, University Hospital of Dijon – Bourgogne, Dijon, France 3University of Burgundy Franche-Comté, Dijon, France Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
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