Variable intrathoracic upper airway obstruction due to non-small cell lung cancer. Palliation using physiologic and mechanical stenting.

A 48-year-old woman with non-small cell lung cancer involving the mediastinum and producing extrinsic tracheal compression is presented. The patient failed to respond to all conventional therapy and presented with stridor and respiratory distress due to progressive airway obstruction. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) by mask was used to physiologically stent the airway until a mechanical Silastic stent could be placed by tracheostomy.