Catheter-Directed Glue Embolization for the Treatment of Bronchopleural Fistula with Associated Retained Microwave Ablation Needle Tip

Abstract

Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a rare but severe complication of lung tumor ablation. The mainstay treatment of BPF is surgical or bronchoscopic intervention; however, there are no current guidelines on the best practice for the management of BPF. In this case presentation, a 72-year-old woman developed a persistent and refractory BPF post-thermal microwave ablation of a lung tumor, complicated by detachment of the ceramic ablation needle tip, which resulted in recurrent tension pneumothoraces. The BPF was successfully treated with cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and fluoroscopy-guided catheter-directed glue embolization, which offers a novel potential treatment option for persistent, refractory BPF.

Keywords

• bronchial fistula
• embolization
• pleural disease
• microwave ablation
• bronchopleural fistula
• case report