Bridging silicone and metallic stents for tracheobronchial stenosis in relapsing polychondritis: A case report.

RATIONALE: Relapsing polychondritis is a rare autoimmune disease that commonly leads to tracheobronchial stenosis, presenting significant treatment challenges.

PATIENT CONCERNS: This case report describes a 64-year-old male with relapsing polychondritis who developed severe tracheobronchial stenosis.

DIAGNOSES: Computed tomography scanning revealed stenosis of the trachea and bronchi, while bronchoscopy confirmed occlusion or stenosis.

INTERVENTIONS: Initially, the patient presented with chest pain, fever, and dyspnea. After treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, fever and chest pain improved, though dyspnea persisted. A silicone stent was inserted, leading to a significant improvement in dyspnea. However, due to granulation tissue hyperplasia at the lower edge of the left main bronchus stent, a metallic stent was used to bridge with the silicone stent 4 years later.

OUTCOMES: The patient has been followed for 7 years with stable disease control.

LESSONS: For complex airway stenosis caused by relapsing polychondritis, combined placement of silicone stent and metal stent may be considered as a therapeutic option.