Transbronchoscopic cryotherapy for a giant sputum plug straddling the tracheal carina: A case report.

PATIENT CONCERNS: A 69-year-old male patient, who has had laryngeal cancer for 24 years and is currently in a tracheostomy state, was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer one month ago. After one cycle of chemoradiation, the patient visited the clinic complaining of breathlessness for the past two days.

DIAGNOSES: A chest computed tomography scan revealed a strip-shaped, columnar, and high-density lesion in the lumen of the trachea as well as in the right and left main bronchi, which was initially thought to be secreted. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of a sputum plug characterized by mucus components, inflammatory exudates, and necrotic tissue.