CTICasesTracheobronchial Stent Migration
Imaging findings
Chest CT and radiograph in a patient with metastatic small cell lung cancer and a history of right mainstem bronchus stent placement show cephalad migration of the stent. The stent now resides within the distal trachea, where it partially obstructs and 'jails' the contralateral left mainstem bronchus. Expiratory CT confirms relative over-inflation of the left lung due to air trapping.
Key takeaways
Tracheobronchial stents are used to palliate airway stenosis from malignant obstruction, but migration is a well-known complication. Cephalad migration of a mainstem bronchus stent into the trachea is particularly dangerous, as it can cause acute asphyxia by obstructing the Carina or jailing the contralateral main bronchus. Patients can occasionally cough up migrated stents, leading to immediate symptom relief.
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