覆膜金属支架在老年晚期食管癌及食管瘘患者中的应用

目的 探讨应用覆膜金属支架对老年晚期食管癌并发食管瘘患者的治疗作用.方法 在胃镜直视或X线透视下,由导丝引导定位,经支架输送器将覆膜金属支架置于病变部位.结果 225例患者均一次放置成功,19例食管瘘患者瘘口均完全封堵,技术成功率为100.0%.其中184例(81.8%)吞咽困难及呛咳症状显著改善,176例(78.2%)患者在支架置入术后1周内进半流质食物,后改为普通食物,肺部感染得到控制.结论 对于失去手术机会或无法耐受手术的老年晚期食管癌并发食管瘘患者,放置覆膜金属支架治疗,疗效确切,安全可行.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the effect of covered endoesophageal stent in treatment of terminal esophageal carcinoma complicated with malignant esophageal fistula in the elderly. Methods The covered endoesophageal stent was placed at the focus of lesion for each elderly patient in guidance by the iron wire and the stent-transporter under the endoscopy or X-ray. Results All of the stents were successfully implanted in 225 elderly patients without technical failure. The fistula was fully closed in all 19 patients. The symptoms of dysphagia and bucking were relieved obviously in 184cases (81.8%). The 176 cases (78.2%) of patients could have semi-fluid food in first week after stent implant, then have full meal. The inspiration pneumonia caused by fistula was brought under control. Conclusions For elderly patients with esophageal carcinoma, when they lose the operative opportunity or can not tolerate an operation, the treatment with covered endoesophageal stent is effective and safe.     

Morbidity and mortality after self-expandable metallic stent placement in patients with progressive or recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND: Placemet of self-expandable metallic stents in patients with advance esophageal cancer improves dysphagia and occludes tracheoesophageal fistulas. However, the safety of self-expandable metallic stents for patients who have undergone chemoradiotherapy is controversial. This study evaluated the morbidity and modality after self-expandable metallic stent placement in patients with progressive or recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: A total of 22 patients in whom self-expandable metallic stents were placed because of progressive or recurrent esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy were studied. RESULTS: All 22 patients had dysphagia, and 13 had a tracheoesophageal fistula. After self-expandable metallic stent placement, the mean dysphagia grade improved from 3.5 to 0.9, and tracheoesophageal fistula was successfully managed in all cases. Seventeen patients had T4 stage disease, and among 8 of them with invasion to the aorta, 6 (75%) died of sudden massive hemorrhage. Median survival for these 6 patients was 31 days (range 13-63 days) compared with 67 days (range 4-262 days) for all patients after self-expandable metallic stent placement. CONCLUSION: Self-expandable metallic stent placement improved dysphagia and was useful for treatment of tracheoesophageal fistula. However, for patients with T4 lesions that invade to the aorta, self-expandable metallic stent placement after chemoradiotherapy should be considered carefully.     

内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床应用价值

目的探讨内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床价值及食管支架置入术并发症的防治。方法回顾性分析163例晚期食管癌患者内镜下覆膜食管支架治疗食管癌性狭窄及食管气管瘘的临床资料,其中7例患者为食管癌性狭窄并食管-支气管瘘伴双下肺感染,19例患者为食管癌术后复发吻合口狭窄置入镍钛记忆合金覆膜支架。102例患者由于食管过于狭窄先行食管扩张,再进行内镜下放置食管支架,35例患者直接内镜下置入食管支架。结果 163例患者先后放置174个支架,均一次性置入成功,成功率为100%。163例患者均有不同程度胸痛不适,有32例支架再狭窄,其中19例单纯行支架内球囊扩张,11例于原支架上端内部分重叠再放置一支架,有26例行氩气刀再通治疗。7例患者出现支架移位,有2例支架进入食管瘘管内于次日在内镜下取出支架重新放置。所有病例均未出现食管破裂、食管血肿或出血等严重并发症,术后患者进食能力提高,食管气管瘘闭合。结论内镜下覆膜食管支架置入术是中晚期食管癌性狭窄简单、安全、有效的姑息治疗方法,能提高患者的生活质量,延长患者的生存期。     

Over-the-scope clip to close a gastrocutaneous fistula after esophagectomy

Over-the-scope clip(OTSC) system is becoming a new reliable technique which is available for the endoscopic closure of fistulas, bleeding, perforations and so on. We describe the case of a patient with a nonhealing gastrocutaneous fistula after esophagectomy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma which was successfully closed using an OTSC system. This is the first report of the use of OTSC to treat a nonhealing gastrocutaneous fistula successfully after esophagectomy. We believe our experience will give such patients an ideal way to cure the fistula without suffering too much and also explore new application of OTSC.     

Staged resection and reconstruction following definitive chemoradiotherapy for perforated cervico-thoracic esophageal cancer with mediastinal abscess

Esophageal perforation with mediastinal abscess formation is a potentially life-threatening complication after chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with esophageal cancer. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman with cervico-thoracic esophageal cancer who had previously undergone distal gastrectomy. Definitive CRT was initially performed since the patient refused laryngectomy. However, she developed an esophageal fistula and a subsequent cervico-mediastinal abscess, which made oral intake impossible. In order to address the fistula, abscess, and cancer, we decided to perform a staged operation. The patient first underwent total pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy and abscess drainage. She next underwent esophageal reconstruction with an ileocolonic conduit through a subcutaneous route. The patient is currently alive and well after surgery. This case suggests that surgical resection may be performed in high-risk patients with cervico-thoracic esophageal cancer via a two-stage operation.     

Esophageal perforation and postoperative fistulae of the upper digestive tract treated endoscopically with the application of Tissucol

We present three patients with serious gastro-esophageal complications which were treated with Tissucol. The first patient developed a rare postoperative oesophago-pleural fistula. The second suffered a traumatic esophageal perforation (possibly iatrogenic) that was discovered at the end of the removal procedure of an alimentary bolus impacted in the distal esophagus. Attempts to close the high output oesophago-pleural fistula with standard treatment were unsuccessful. It was closed with Tissucol at the third attempt, in conjunction with oesophago-jejunal stenosis by means of endoscopic dilatation. In the second patient, early Tissucol application after detection of pneumomediastinum was an effective complementary treatment to the conservative approach and rapidly closed the perforation. The third patient developed a low debit postoperative gastro-cutaneous fistula that did not resolve with conservative treatment. It was closed with only one session of Tissucol sealing. We consider that the endoscopic application of fibrin glue should become the first step in the conservative treatment of small esophageal perforations or postoperative esophageal pleural fistulae, especially in cases of high output fistulae. The success of this technique depends on the localization and selective catheterization of the fistula and on brushing the fistular opening. Total resolution of any distal stenosis is necessary to prevent reopening of the fistula.     

Difficult polypectomy-giant hypopharyngeal polyp: Case report and literature review

Giant esophageal and hypopharyngeal polyps are benign tumors rarely encountered in clinical practice.In most cases,they are completely asymptomatic;however,despite the rarity of these tumors,interest in giant esophageal polyps derives from their degree of growth(characterized by slow growth into the esophageal lumen)and their mobility.In fact,if regurgitation occurs,they can ascend into the oral cavity and be aspirated into the airways,with potentially lethal consequences.The removal of these giant polyps is recommended.An adequate preoperative evaluation to identify the correct origin of the stalk is mandatory for a successful endoscopic or surgical treatment.A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for anemia.The patient underwent gastroscopy,contrast computed tomography and endoscopic ultrasound.At the conclusion of the procedure,during the extraction of the echoendoscope,the patient began retching and regurgitated the polyp,without experiencing respiratory distress.The patient underwent a left cervicotomy and polyp dissection via a pharyngotomy.     

Endoscopic Resection for Synchronous Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Gastric Adenocarcinoma in Early Stage Is a Possible Alternative to Surgery

Background/Aims

We investigated the clinical outcomes according to the method of treatment in synchronous esophageal and gastric cancer.

Methods

Synchronous esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma were diagnosed in 79 patients between 1996 and 2010. We divided the patients into four groups according to treatment; Group 1 received surgical resection for both cancers or surgery for gastric cancer with chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer (n=27); Group 2 was treated by endoscopic resection with or without additional treatment (n=14); Group 3 received chemoradiotherapy only (n=18); and Group 4 received supportive care only (n=20).

Results

The median survival times in groups 1 and 2 were 86 and 60 months, respectively. The recurrence rate and mortality were 23% and 48%, respectively, in group 1 and 21% and 4%, respectively, in group 2. The median survival time was 12 months in group 3 and 9 months in group 4. Multivariate analysis showed that age (p<0.001) and treatment group (p=0.019) were significantly associated with death. Compared with group 1, treatment in the intensive care unit (p=0.003), loss of body weight (p=0.042), and decrease in hemoglobin (p=0.033) were worse in group 1.

Conclusions

Endoscopic resection for synchronous esophageal and gastric cancer could be considered as a possible alternative to surgery for early-stage cancer.     

Esophageal carcinoma with tracheal stenosis due to tumor invasion and long survival after chemoradiotherapy

For patients who have esophageal carcinoma with tracheal invasion surgery is usually not indicated because operative complications are considerable and the prognosis is poor. We experienced complete regression of a large esophageal carcinoma with tracheal stenosis due to tumor invasion without tracheo-esophageal fistula. Irradiation of 68 Gy was delivered to a long T field from the neck to the lower thoracic esophagus, and was combined with chemotherapy using cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. The tumor decreased markedly in size and the tracheal stenosis resolved. The patient has survived for 4 years, although second primary early esophageal carcinoma and hypopharyngeal carcinoma were detected 2 years after his initial chemoradiotherapy. Although the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma with invasion of other organs is usually poor, the effect of chemoradiotherapy can sometimes be dramatic and a good result can be achieved in such patients.     

Diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of esophago-bronchial fistula due to gastric heterotopy

Heterotopic gastric mucosa patches are congenital gastrointestinal abnormalities and have been reported to occur anywhere along the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus. Complications of heterotopic gastric mucosa include dysphagia, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, upper esophageal ring stricture, adenocarcinoma and fistula formation. In this case report we describe the diagnosis and treatment of the first case of esophago-bronchial fistula due to heterotopic gastric mucosa in mid esophagus. A 40-year old former professional soccer player was referred to our department for treatment of an esophago-bronchial fistula. Microscopic examination of the biopsies taken from the esophageal fistula revealed the presence of gastric heterotopic mucosa. We decided to do a non-surgical therapeutic endoscopic procedure. A sclerotherapy catheter was inserted through which 1 mL of ready to use synthetic surgical glue was applied in the fistula and it closed the fistula opening with excellent results.     

Lymph node dissection with cervical approach as a salvage surgery for locoregional failure after definitive chemoradiotherapy in a patient with recurrent esophageal carcinoma: report of a case

Salvage surgery is one important therapeutic option after locoregional failure of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) in patients with advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma. We have performed cervical lymph node dissection as a salvage surgery after chemoradiotherapy in a patient with recurrent esophageal carcinoma. A 54-year-old Japanese man was admitted to our hospital because of multiple lymph node metastases after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early-stage esophageal carcinoma. The patient underwent a circumferential ESD of early-stage esophageal carcinoma in another hospital. The esophageal carcinoma, measuring 75 × 60 mm in size, was a superficial spreading type located in the middle portion of the thoracic esophagus. Histology of the resected specimen revealed a moderately to poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, and the depth of invasion was limited within the mucosal layer associated with a small area being attached to the muscularis mucosae. Five months after ESD, lymph node metastases in the regions of right recurrent nerve and the left tracheobronchus were found, for which dCRT was performed. These metastatic lymph nodes disappeared in the chest CT scan images. Lymph node metastasis in the region of the right recurrent nerve then reappeared 8 months after the completion of CRT. Considering the solitary lymph node metastasis and surgical invasiveness, lymph node dissection using a cervical approach was selected as a salvage surgery. Cervical approach for the lymph node dissection in the region of right recurrent nerve may be one feasible option as a minimally invasive salvage surgery for patients with recurrent esophageal carcinoma after dCRT.     

Salvage surgery after definitive chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer

Background Definitive chemoradiotherapy has been performed as a first-line treatment for esophageal cancer, whereas salvage surgery might be the only reliable treatment for patients with recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy.Methods We reviewed 38 patients with squamous cell carcinoma who underwent esophagectomy and 6 patients who underwent lymphadenectomy after definitive chemoradiotherapy (≥50 Gy).Results The median survival time and 5-year survival rate after salvage esophagectomy were 16 months and 27%, respectively. Three of the 7 patients who had cervical esophageal cancer underwent cervical esophagectomy with laryngeal preservation. Two patients (5.2%) who underwent salvage esophagectomy with three-field lymphadenectomy before 1997 died of postoperative complications, but no patient died of complications thereafter. Although the overall survival after salvage esophagectomy was correlated with residual tumor (R) (P = 0.0097), the median survival time of 7 patients with residual tumors (R₂) was 7 months. Overall postoperative survival was closely correlated with the response to chemoradiotherapy (P < 0.0001) but was not associated with histologic effects on resected specimens. Survival was significantly correlated with the depth of viable tumor invasion (pT) (P = 0.0013) and with lymph node metastasis (pN) (P < 0.0001). Long-term survival was achieved in 5 of the 6 patients who underwent salvage lymphadenectomy.Conclusions Salvage surgery should be considered for patients with recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy. Salvage lymphadenectomy may be useful for recurrence confined to the lymph nodes whereas postoperative complications of salvage esophagectomy should be warranted.     

Giant Coronary Artery Aneurysm With Fistula to the Pulmonary Artery Complicated by Frequent Ventricular Premature Contractions: A Case Report

Giant coronary artery aneurysm with a fistula is a rare condition. The presence of a giant aneurysm imposes considerable health risks.We report a case of a 67-year-old woman who presented with frequent ventricular premature contractions caused by a giant coronary aneurysm arising from a branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery that had a fistulous connection to the pulmonary artery.The patient was referred for cardiac surgery. The giant aneurysm was resected, and the proximal and distal openings were closed directly. The main pulmonary artery was opened longitudinally and the fistula was also closed directly.The patient''s symptoms of frequent ventricular premature contractions disappeared postoperatively as confirmed by electrocardiography.Although the standard therapeutic strategies of the disease are not well established because of the rarity of this condition, our clinical results indicate that the surgical treatment is an effective choice.     

False esophageal hiatus hernia caused by a foreign body: A fatal event

Foreign body ingestion is a common complaint in gastrointestinal clinics. It is usually not difficult to diagnose because most of the patients report a definitive history of accidental foreign body ingestion. However, in rare cases, patients do not have a clear history. Thus, the actual condition of the patient is difficult to diagnosis or is misdiagnosed; consequently, treatment is delayed or the wrong treatment is administered, respectively. This report describes a fatal case of esophageal perforation caused by an unknowingly ingested fishbone, which resulted in lower esophageal necrosis, chest cavity infection, posterior mediastinum fester, and significant upper gastrointestinal accumulation of blood. However, his clinical symptoms and imaging data are very similar with esophageal hiatal hernia. Unfortunately, because the patient was too late in consulting a physician, he finally died of chest infection and hemorrhage caused by thoracic aortic rupture. First, this case report underlines the importance of immediate consultation with a physician as soon as symptoms are experienced so as not to delay diagnosis and treatment, and thus avoid a fatal outcome. Second, diagnostic imaging should be performed in the early stage, without interference by clinical judgment. Third, when computed tomography reveals esophageal hiatus hernia with stomach incarceration, posterior mediastinal hematoma, and pneumatosis caused by esophageal, a foreign body should be suspected. Finally, medical professionals are responsible for making people aware of the danger of foreign body ingestion, especially among children, those who abuse alcohol, and those who wear dentures, particularly among the elderly, whose discriminability of foreign bodies is decreased, to avoid dire consequences.     

Posttraumatic intrapancreatic aortosplenic fistula causing portal hypertension

Arterioportal fistulas are uncommon. The case of a patient with massive uncontrollable esophageal variceal bleeding is presented. Reversible portal hypertension was caused by a posttraumatic giant intrapancreatic aortosplenic fistula. Percutaneous closure was unsuccessful, and pancreatectomy was performed to control the bleeding. The case is discussed and the literature on this exceptional cause of portal hypertension is reviewed.     

内镜姑息治疗食管癌性瘘47例

目的:探讨癌性食管瘘的有效治疗方法.方法:1998-2006病理证实的食管癌性瘘肿瘤患者47例,女3例,男44例,年龄29-92岁.食管癌42例,肺癌5例,全部存在食管瘘.10例伴有食管狭窄的患者先行内镜下食管扩张,随后行食管内带膜支架置入术.其余37例则直接行食管带膜支架置入术,并对其中瘘口较大者3例(超过1.5cm)附加蛋白胶黏堵.结果:患者的食管癌性瘘口即刻被封堵住,患者可进食进水,提高生活质量,延长生存期,70%(33/47)患者生存超过3 mo.结论:胃镜下食管内支架置入术或支架置入附加黏堵术为治疗支气管瘘的有效方法.     

Salvage esophagectomy after exclusive chemoradiotherapy: results at the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA)

Surgical resection is considered the gold standard treatment for esophageal cancer, with global cure rates ranging from 15 to 40%. Exclusive chemoradiotherapy has been used for patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma or without clinical conditions for esophagectomy, reaching a 5‐year survival rate of up to 30%. However, locoregional control is poor, with local recurrence of 40–60%, being reported in the literature. Maybe, these patients can benefit from salvage surgery. In this study, 15 patients with esophageal cancer submitted to salvage esophagectomy after exclusive chemoradiotherapy treatment were retrospectively analyzed. Salvage esophagectomy was demonstrated to be technically feasible. However, it presents with high surgical morbidity. Currently, salvage esophagectomy is considered the best available treatment to attempt cure in cases of tumor recurrence or persistence after exclusive chemoradiotherapy. All the other types of treatments are regarded as palliative with discouraging survival results.     

Successful treatment for a benign esophagorespiratory fistula with perioperative nutritional management and multistep esophageal bypass operation: a case report

A 49-year-old man was referred to our hospital for treatment of an esophagorespiratory fistula following 5-year airway stenting for stenosis of tracheal anastomosis. In consideration of the prior polysurgery and the patient’s poor general status and malnutrition, we selected multistep esophageal bypass combined with feeding enterostomy for nutritional support. Respiratory symptoms and pneumonia were rapidly improved by esophageal transection and decompression via a catheter esophagostomy. Nutritional status was also improved by enteral nutrition via a catheter gastrostomy. Four months after the esophageal transection, we conducted an esophageal bypass using an ileocolonic conduit because the right gastroepiploic artery had been used for omental reinforcement of tracheal anastomosis. The patient had no postoperative complications and was discharged 53 days after the bypass surgery. Multistep esophageal bypass including feeding enterostomy for perioperative nutritional management is a safe and useful alternative to direct closure for a critically ill patient with an esophagorespiratory fistula who is at high risk for operative mortality.     

Tracheoesophageal fistula in AIDS: stent versus primary repair

Tracheoesophageal fistula arising secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculous infection in AIDS patients is extremely rare. We describe a case with a fistula lesion that initially failed to close using a four-drug antituberculosis regimen. The original lesion closed following placement of an esophageal stent. However, the stent migrated, causing an iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula that needed surgical repair. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon clinical condition, most frequently arising as a sequelae to esophageal malignancy. Iatrogenic injury to the membraneous trachea secondary to cuffed endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes in the presence of an in-dwelling nasogastric tube and corrosive burns, accounts for most of the remainder of occurring fistulas. Infections such as candidiasis, syphilis, and tuberculosis are also known to cause this condition. We report stent migration with perforation and subsequent TEF formation in an HIV-positive patient who originally had stent placement for a tuberculous tracheoesophageal fistula.     

Multidisciplinary approach for patients with esophageal cancer

Patients with esophageal cancer have a poor prognosis because they often have no symptoms until their disease is advanced. There are no screening recommendations for patients unless they have Barrett’s esophagitis or a significant family history of this disease. Often, esophageal cancer is not diagnosed until patients present with dysphagia, odynophagia, anemia or weight loss. When symptoms occur, the stage is often stage III or greater. Treatment of patients with very early stage disease is fairly straight forward using only local treatment with surgical resection or endoscopic mucosal resection. The treatment of patients who have locally advanced esophageal cancer is more complex and controversial. Despite multiple trials, treatment recommendations are still unclear due to conflicting data. Sadly, much of our data is difficult to interpret due to many of the trials done have included very heterogeneous groups of patients both histologically as well as anatomically. Additionally, studies have been underpowered or stopped early due to poor accrual. In the United States, concurrent chemoradiotherapy prior to surgical resection has been accepted by many as standard of care in the locally advanced patient. Patients who have metastatic disease are treated palliatively. The aim of this article is to describe the multidisciplinary approach used by an established team at a single high volume center for esophageal cancer, and to review the literature which guides our treatment recommendations.