Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-facilitated palliative radiotherapy for severe airway obstruction due to lung cancer: A case report

Background

The use of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), particularly during radiotherapy, for severe malignant central airway obstruction has rarely been reported.

Case Presentation

A 47-year-old female presented to our emergency department with severe respiratory distress. Given her medical history, she was initially diagnosed with asthma. Despite initial treatment, which included intubation, her condition deteriorated, necessitating VV-ECMO. Computed tomography performed following the initiation of VV-ECMO revealed extensive lung cancer involving both bronchial types. Radiotherapy while on VV-ECMO led to a significant reduction in tumor size, allowing for the weaning of ECMO support and successful extubation.

Conclusion

Malignant central airway obstruction is life-threatening. Our case demonstrates the efficacy of combining VV-ECMO with radiotherapy when conventional therapies fail. Further research is necessary to validate and explore this novel approach's implications.