[The treatment of tracheobronchial amyloidosis using a bronchial laser. Apropos of a series of 13 cases].

We have encountered and successfully treated thirteen cases of tracheobronchial amyloidosis using a laser. The clinical data, radiology, endoscopic and histological appearance of these patients were similar to that described in the literature (48 published cases). A YAG laser was used, introduced through a rigid bronchoscope. The principal difficulties of this type of resection were related to the oozing of blood which they caused. Only lesions in the trachea, main and lobar bronchi could be destroyed. 8 of the 9 patients followed for sufficiently long were clearly improved but a patient whose lesions were very diffuse did not experience any benefit. The laser seems to us above all to be indicated when there is considerable obstruction by amyloid, limited to the trachea and/or several of the major bronchi.