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Central airway obstruction — SCE Respiratory MCQ

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HardLung CancerCentral airway obstructionSCE Respiratory

A 74-year-old man has a central obstructing squamous cell carcinoma causing lobar collapse and post-obstructive pneumonia. He is too frail for surgery but has distressing dyspnoea. What is the most appropriate intervention to palliate airway obstruction?

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Correct answer: A — Therapeutic bronchoscopy with debulking or airway stent assessment

Central malignant airway obstruction causing symptomatic collapse can be palliated by interventional bronchoscopy, including debulking or stenting depending on anatomy. Pulmonary rehabilitation does not relieve fixed obstruction. Pleural procedures and CPAP do not treat the endobronchial tumour.

Reference: BTS Bronchoscopy guidance; NICE NG122