# Challenges in Double-Lumen Tube Placement Due to Idiopathic Laryngotracheal Stenosis in a Right Lung Adenocarcinoma Patient: A Case Report

**Authors:** Marie Fujii, Daisuke Sugiyama, Eri Matsuura, Kenichi Ueda

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.78366 · Cureus · 2025-02-01

## TL;DR

A 72-year-old woman with idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis faced challenges during surgery due to a narrowed airway, requiring alternative methods for lung isolation.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the importance of preoperative airway evaluation in patients with idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis.

## Key findings

- A 72-year-old woman had idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis without prior intubation or respiratory disease.
- A bronchial blocker was used instead of a double-lumen tube due to airway narrowing.
- Preoperative CT or endoscopy is crucial for identifying potential stenosis in such cases.

## Abstract

We report a case of idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis (ILTS) in a 72-year-old woman scheduled for a right upper lobectomy. Although she had no history of tracheal intubation or respiratory disease, her bronchus was stenosed for approximately 2 cm starting 5 cm below the vocal cords, with the narrowest lumen measuring 10 mm, which impeded placement of a 32 Fr double-lumen tube (DLT). Consequently, a 7.5 mm endotracheal tube with a bronchial blocker was used for lung isolation. Even without a history of tracheal stenosis, it is crucial to evaluate potential stenosis using CT or endoscopy. If symptoms occur, endoscopic or surgical treatment should be considered.

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** ILTS (MESH:C566379), stenosis (MESH:D003251), tracheal stenosis (MESH:D014135), respiratory disease (MESH:D012140), Lung Adenocarcinoma (MESH:D000077192)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

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## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11876788/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC11876788