Placement of an ultraflex nitinol stent for severe tracheobronchial obstruction in a case of relapsing polychondritis

: A 59-year-old man, who had been treated for bronchial asthma since 2000, was hospitalized with high fever and productive cough in November 2003. Chest radiography on admission showed consolidations in both lower lung fields, and computed tomography demonstrated anteroposterior narrowing of both main bronchi. A physical examination revealed deformity of auricular cartilage and saddle nose, and we diagnosed him relapsing polychondritis (RP). When he was readmitted 4 months later because of severe tracheobronchial stenosis and respiratory failure he required mechanical ventilation, but it was difficult to wean him from the ventilator. Self-expandable metallic stents were placed in the left main bronchus and the trachea. After the procedure, he was successfully weared from mechanical ventilation. Since airway complications of RP can be fatal, stent implantation should be considered in the management of RP with airway manifestations.