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Endobronchial Stenting — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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HardRespiratory SymptomsEndobronchial StentingSCE Palliative Medicine

A patient with squamous lung cancer develops stridor. CT shows critical lower-tracheal narrowing caused predominantly by extrinsic tumour compression, with little endoluminal tumour. Which intervention is most likely to provide rapid airway patency?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: C — Bronchoscopic airway stent placement after urgent specialist assessment

Stridor from critical malignant central-airway obstruction is an emergency. Predominantly extrinsic compression cannot be removed by endoluminal debulking; a bronchoscopic stent can splint the airway and restore patency rapidly, often alongside other oncological treatment. Steroids or radiotherapy may contribute in selected cases but should not delay urgent airway assessment.

Reference: NICE NG122: Lung cancer—management: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng122/chapter/Management