Radiation-associated airway necrosis

Background: Chondronecrosis is one of the complications that occurs after radiation treatment of the chest and mediastinal tumors, with necrosis usually developing months to years after treatment. Upper airway perichondritis and necrosis of the cricoid cartilage, larynx, and upper trachea have been observed as a complication of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers as well. Tracheal chondronecrosis, on the other hand, is a rare complication after radiation treatment. Case Report: We report a case of delayed chondronecrosis of the distal trachea that developed 8 years after radiation treatment using iodine-125 seeds to treat mediastinal adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: Treatment options for chondronecrosis of the distal trachea are based on the location and extent of the airway chondronecrosis and can be either balloon bronchial dilatation with stent placement or surgical resection and anastomosis.