central airway obstruction


central airway obstruction

Compression of the upper airways by a tumor, esp. lung cancer, or a goiter; inhalation of a foreign body into the airway; or narrowing of the trachea by a stricture or tracheomalacia or bronchiomalacia. It is a potentially life-threatening condition that in many cases requires bronchoscopy to clear the airway, often followed by placement of a stent. See also: obstruction