A higher restenosis rate of benign endobronchial mass after cryotherapy in endobronchial tuberculosis

Management of benign endobronchial mass with central airway obstruction remains challenging. The benefits and outcomes of cryotherapy in benign diseases are not clear, especially endobronchial tuberculosis. We collected medical records of patients with benign endobronchial mass who received cryotherapy and refused surgery as the first choice of treatment. Between 2007 and 2011,16 patients were included. The leading diagnosis was endobronchial tuberculosis (n = 9, 56.25%), followed by non-tuberculosis granuloma (n = 2, 12.5%), leiomyoma (n = 2, 12.5%), foreign body (n = 2, 12.5%), and chondroma (n = 1, 6.25%). The overall incidence of endobronchial lesion re-stenosis post-cryotherapy was 31.25% (5/16 patients). Patients with endobronchial tuberculosis had a higher re-stenosis rate, necessitating management, than patients with other diagnoses (56.25% vs. 0%; p value, 0.0174). The median follow-up duration of the patients was 15.25 months (n = 16; interquartile range, 7-36.13 months). The cumulative re-stenosis rate of endobronchial lesions was also higher in patients with endobronchial tuberculosis (80%; median duration, 17 months; p value, 0.036). Cryotherapy is feasible for the management of benign endobronchial mass. Among patients with endobronchial tuberculosis after cryotherapy removal, completed anti-tuberculosis treatment and regular follow-up are mandatory for higher restenosis rate. However, surgical treatment provides a rescue therapy among these patients when restenosis.