Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in patients with benign esophageal strictures: initial experience

PURPOSE: To investigate the safety and clinical effectiveness of covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in 25 patients with a benign esophageal stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under fluoroscopic guidance, covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 25 patients with a benign esophageal stricture and were removed with a retrieval hook 1-8 weeks later. RESULTS: Stent placement was successful in all patients, with no procedural complications. After stent placement, all patients could ingest solid food. The stents were successfully removed from all but two patients. One patient passed the stent via the rectum, and the other regurgitated a high cervical stent. After stent removal, one patient developed a small esophagobronchial fistula, which spontaneously sealed within 1 week of stent removal. After stent removal or migration, all patients could ingest solid food. During follow-up (mean, 13 months; range, 2-25 months) after stent removal or migration, 12 patients maintained their improvement in dysphagia and needed no further treatment. Thirteen patients with recurrence were treated by means of repeat balloon dilation. CONCLUSION: Use of retrievable expandable nitinol stents seems to be a safe and effective method of treatment in selected patients with benign esophageal strictures.     

经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管-胸腔瘘

目的 探索经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管-胸腔瘘的可行性及临床价值.方法 7例食管胸腔瘘患者采用5 F猪尾巴多侧孔导管经鼻、食管行胸腔引流,并利用食管覆膜内支架封堵食管瘘口.术后经引流导管定时冲洗脓腔,复查脓腔造影.结果 患者一次性植入引流导管及堵瘘支架均获得成功;引流持续12～22 d,平均15 d;拔管前引流管造影提示脓腔明显变小或闭塞、液气胸得到明显控制,拔管后食管造影示瘘口封堵满意、支架完全复张,未见明显移位、狭窄等征象.结论 经鼻、食管引流及覆膜支架植入术治疗食管胸腔瘘,技术上可行,操作简易、安全,临床疗效肯定.     

Malignant esophageal-tracheobronchial strictures: parallel placement of covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents

Purpose: To assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of the parallel placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents in the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures.

Material and Methods: Under fluoroscopic guidance, parallel stents were placed in 12 symptomatic patients with both malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures. Seven of these 12 patients also had an esophagorespiratory fistula (ERF) and one patient had an esophagocutaneous fistula. Technical success, clinical improvement, complications, and survival rates were evaluated.

Results: A total of 28 esophageal and airway stents were successfully placed. The grade of dysphagia and dyspnea score significantly decreased after stent placement (P = 0.002 and 0.003, respectively). ERF and esophagocutaneous fistula were sealed off in all eight patients after esophageal stent placement; however, the esophagocutaneous fistula reopened 1 month later. Complications included stent migration or expectoration (n = 3), tracheal compression by the esophageal stent (n = 3), new fistula development due to covering membrane degradation of the esophageal stent (n = 1), and symptomatic sputum retention (n = 1). Stent removal was easily performed for two stents; one migrated stent and the other with covering membrane degradation. All 12 patients died within the mean survival period of 72.50 days (range 7-375 days).

Conclusion: Parallel placement of covered retrievable expandable metallic stents is safe and effective for the palliative treatment of malignant esophageal and tracheobronchial strictures.     

Nitinol Esophageal Stents: New Designs and Clinical Indications

Purpose To evaluate the clinical use of covered and noncovered, knitted nitinol stents in patients presenting new stent indications. Methods Self-expandable, knitted nitinol stents were implanted in four patients for treatment of dysphagia. In two patients who had malignant strictures and had esophago-respiratory fistulae and in one patient with an esophagocutaneous fistula, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-covered stents were implanted. One patient received a noncovered stent, but a retrograde approach through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) fistula had to be chosen for recanalization of an esophageal occulusion. Two patients received stents for treatment of benign strictures. Results Recanalization of the stricture and stent implantation were performed under fluoroscopic control without any procedure-related morbidity or mortality. Dysphagia improved in all patients and the esophageal fistulae could be sealed off by covered stents. During a maximum follow-up of 18 months, there was no stent migration or esophageal perforation. Complications observed were stent stenosis due to food impaction (1/4) and benign stent stenosis (2/2). Most complications could be treated by the interventional radiologist. Conclusion Self-expandable, covered Nitinol stents provide an option for the treatment of dysphagia combined with esophageal fistulae. In combination with interventional radiology techniques, even complex strictures are accessible. For benign strictures, the value of stent treatment has not yet been proven.     

Esophagogastric neoplasms: palliation with a modified gianturco stent.

Self-expanding metallic stents of a modified Gianturco design were used for palliative treatment of malignant esophagogastric strictures. Over a 10-month period, 10 stents were placed in nine patients. All patients with severe dysphagia due to malignant strictures in whom all other treatment options had failed were candidates for these stents. Neither extensive length of esophageal involvement nor complete esophageal obstruction was a contraindication. All stents were placed with fluoroscopic guidance without any technical failures or procedural morbidity or mortality. Mild reflux occurred in three patients in whom the stent tubes straddled the distal esophageal sphincter. Five patients were still alive after 1-8 months. The remaining four patients died 6-28 weeks after stent placement; all stents were patent at the time of death. These stents are easy to insert, safe, and reasonably effective for short-term palliative treatment of esophagogastric neoplasms.     

食管-纵隔瘘:食管覆膜内支架与经鼻经食管引流管置入治疗

目的探索食管覆膜内支架与经鼻经食管引流管置入治疗食管-纵隔瘘的价值。方法10例食管-纵隔瘘采用5F直头侧孔导管经鼻腔经食管和瘘口置入纵隔脓腔,并利用食管覆膜内支架封堵瘘口。经引流管定时冲洗脓腔,复查脓腔造影,及时调整引流管的位置和拔出引流管。结果进食顺利,引流10—25d引流管完全拔出,脓腔消失。结论食管覆膜内支架与经鼻经食管引流管置人治疗食管-纵隔瘘,可有效治疗纵隔脓肿,操作技术简单、费用低、创伤小,患者易于接受,是值得推广的新技术。     

Esophagorespiratory fistula: long-term results of palliative treatment with covered expandable metallic stents in 61 patients

PURPOSE: To evaluate long-term clinical results of palliative treatment of esophagorespiratory fistulas (ERFs) with covered expandable metallic stents. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients with ERFs due to esophageal or bronchogenic carcinoma and one patient with ERF due to pressure necrosis caused by initial esophageal stent placement for esophageal carcinoma were treated with covered expandable esophageal or tracheobronchial metallic stents. Information about technical success of stent placement, initial clinical success and failure, fistula reopening, and complications was obtained. Survival curves for both patient groups with initial clinical success and failure were obtained and compared with Kaplan-Meier methods and log-rank test. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients, with no immediate procedural complications. The stent completely sealed off the fistula in 49 (80%) of 61 patients so that they had no further aspiration symptoms (initial clinical success). Twelve (20%) of 61 patients had persistent aspiration symptoms due to incomplete ERF closure (initial clinical failure). During follow-up, the fistula reopened in 17 (35%) of 49 patients with initial clinical success: In eight patients, the reopened ERF was sealed off successfully with stent placement or balloon dilation. In two patients with reopened ERF caused by food impaction, the reopened fistula resolved spontaneously. Seven patients did not undergo further treatment. All patients died during follow-up, and mean survival was 13.4 weeks (range, 1-56 weeks) after stent placement. Mean survival in patients with initial clinical success was significantly longer than that in patients with initial clinical failure (15.1 vs 6.2 weeks, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Covered expandable metallic stents were placed in 61 patients with ERFs, but the initial clinical success rate was poor and the rate of reopening was high; however, interventional treatment was effective for sealing off reopened ERFs. Copyright RSNA, 2004     

食管癌放疗后狭窄食管内支架治疗方法的探讨

目的　评价食管内支架治疗食管癌放疗后狭窄的临床效果及方法探讨。方法　本组 3 6例食管癌放疗后狭窄的患者 ,其中食管 -纵隔瘘 4例 ,食管 -气管瘘 5例 ,食管 -纵隔 -气管瘘 1例。 40枚食管内支架置入均在X线电视监视下进行 ,术后给予抗生素、止血药及镇静止痛药。结果　 3 6例患者均成功置入 ,其中 4例置入 2枚支架 ,1例食管气管瘘合并气管狭窄者先置入气管支架 1枚后置入食管支架 ,所有患者术后吞咽困难完全消除或明显缓解 ,食管 -气管或纵隔瘘完全封闭。 1～ 12月随诊观察 ,应用支架直径 1.8cm以上的患者 ,术后反应较大 ,并发症较多。结论　食管内支架治疗食管癌放疗后狭窄 ,选用直径 1.8cm以下的支架 ,更为安全、有效     

带膜可回收支架置入治疗自发性食管破裂（附8例报告）

目的：探讨带膜支架置入治疗自发性食管破裂。方法：8例自发性食管破裂患者均先放置胸腔闭式引流,冲洗胸腔,通过导丝经口置入带膜可回收支架,经口进食,每天经胸腔引流管冲洗胸腔,5-7 d拔除胸引管及鼻腔冲洗管,1个月后取出支架。结果：全部病例支架均置入成功,恢复正常进食,1个月后取出支架,正常进食结论：带膜支架置入治疗食管自发性破裂安全有效的方法,其疗效确切,宜在临床上推广使用。     

Gastrotracheal and gastrobronchial fistulas: management with covered expandable metallic stents

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the clinical results of covered tracheobronchial metallic stent placement in the management of gastrotracheal fistulas (GTFs) and gastrobronchial fistulas (GBFs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients with GTFs or GBFs after esophagogastrectomy were treated with one of two types of covered tracheobronchial metallic stents: a hinged stent or a straight stent. These included 12 GTFs and four GBFs. Thirteen hinged stents and three straight stents were placed during the initial procedure. Data regarding the technical success of stent placement, initial clinical success and failure, fistula reopening, and complications were obtained. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. The stent completely sealed off the fistula in 12 of 16 patients (75% initial clinical success rate), whereas the remaining four patients (25%) had persistent aspiration symptoms as a result of incomplete GTF or GBF closure (ie, initial clinical failure). During follow-up, the fistula reopened in three of the 12 patients in whom initial clinical success was achieved (25%). Two reopened fistulas were sealed off with stent placement, and one was treated with a nasoenteric feeding tube and a nasogastric decompression tube. All patients died during the 1-year follow-up period; mean survival time was 17 +/- 3.02 weeks (range, 1-42 weeks) after stent placement. Mean survival in patients in whom initial clinical success was achieved was significantly longer than in patients with initial clinical failure (P = .003; log-rank test). CONCLUSION: Use of covered metallic stents appears to be a safe and moderately effective procedure to occlude GTFs and GBFs.     

带膜支架在食管狭窄中的临床应用

目的：本文回顾性分析了金属带膜支架对恶性食管狭窄、吻合口狭窄及食管气管瘘和吻合口瘘的治疗功效,方法：36例吞咽困难患者放置了Gianturco-Z和自彭式金属带膜支架。其中包括恶性食管梗阻（32例）、吻合口狭窄（4例）,合并食管气管瘘（3例）和吻合口瘘（1例）。结果：37根支架被成功释放。吞咽困难在33例患者中获得明显缓解,平均吞咽困难积分从3．02减低到0．81。3例食管气管瘘和1例吻合口瘘完全堵住。并发症包括胸骨后疼痛（23例）、支架移位（21例）、上消化道出血（12例）、返流性食道炎（1例）和气管受压迫（1例）。结论：金属带膜支架是治疗食道梗阻、食管气管瘘及吻合口瘘安全、有效的方法。     

Broken Esophageal Stent Successfully Treated by Interventional Radiology Technique

Esophageal stent fractures occur quite rarely. A 61-year-old male patient was previously treated for rupture of benign stenosis, occurring after dilatation, by implanting an esophageal stent. However, a year after implantation, the patient suffered from dysphagia caused by the broken esophageal stent. He was treated with the interventional radiology technique, whereby a second implantation of the esophageal stent was carried out quite successfully.     

多次、多枚支架置入在食管恶性狭窄治疗中的临床应用价值研究

目的:探讨多次、多枚支架置入术对治疗食管恶性狭窄的临床应用价值.方法:8例患者中有6例于第一枚支架置入后3～12个月时因肿瘤进展累及到支架上或下口引起再次梗阻,而置入第二枚支架,其中又有2例分别于置入第二枚支架后10个月(第1枚支架置入后19个月)因肿瘤再次进展和13个月(第1枚支架置入后25个月)因支架上口肉芽组织过度增生引起梗阻而置入第三枚支架.1例食管中、下段双段食道癌患者,一次同时重叠置入二枚支架.1例女性高龄患者置入第一枚支架三天后出现食管-气管瘘而再次套置第二枚支架.结果:6例因肿瘤进展多次置入支架患者及1例双段食道癌双支架置入患者支架置入后均开通食管梗阻,提高了患者生活质量,延长了患者生存时间.2例置入三枚支架患者生存均超过50个月.食管-气管瘘患者置入支架后立即封堵了瘘口,但患者于一周后出现消化道大出血死亡.结论:食管恶性狭窄支架置入后肿瘤进展造成再次狭窄及食管多发肿瘤,采取支架多次及多枚置入有着重要的临床价值.     

Balloon dilation of anastomotic strictures secondary to surgical repair of esophageal atresia in a pediatric population: long-term results

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness and long-term results of balloon dilation treatment for strictures secondary to surgical repair of esophageal atresia (EA) in 29 children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 29 children aged 1-60 months with strictures of greater than 50% at anastomotic sites. The interval between surgical repair and balloon dilation ranged from 1 to 36 months (mean, 6.4 months). All procedures were performed under general anesthesia with use of fluoroscopic guidance. Balloon catheter diameters ranged from 8 mm to 16 mm. Outcome parameters measured included the number of dilations, procedural success rates, primary and secondary clinical success rates, and complications such as esophageal perforation. Primary clinical success was defined as an absence of dysphagia for at least 1 year and weight gain appropriate to the patient's age after initial balloon dilation. Secondary clinical success was defined as an absence of dysphagia for at least 1 year after the final dilation and weight gain appropriate to the patient's age after one or more balloon dilation sessions. RESULTS: A total of 44 balloon dilation sessions were performed, with patients undergoing one to five dilation procedures (mean, 1.6 per patient; median, 1 per patient). Primary and secondary clinical success rates were 59% (17 of 29) and 93% (27 of 29), respectively. During the mean follow-up period of 3.1 years (range, 1-12 y), all 27 children with clinical success showed no recurring symptoms. In terms of complications, transmural perforation occurred in three children (10%), two of whom received conservative management and one of whom underwent surgery for combined esophageal rupture and esophagotracheal fistula. No mortalities occurred. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilation is a safe and effective procedure with excellent long-term results for the treatment of anastomotic strictures secondary to surgical repair of EA in a pediatric population.     

经鼻瘘腔内置引流管治疗食管癌术后吻合口-纵隔瘘6例

目的 回顾性分析X线监视下经鼻瘘腔内置入引流管的方法治疗食管癌术后吻合口-纵隔瘘的可行性.方法 2015年8月至2016年1月,6例经食管造影及胸部CT证实为食管癌术后吻合口-纵隔瘘的患者,在X线监视下,经鼻在导丝引导下于纵隔瘘腔内置入引流管并持续负压吸引,如患者未放置营养管,则经同一鼻孔置入空肠营养管.结果 6例患者全部成功置入瘘腔引流管及空肠营养管,1例患者在置管后5d因引流管堵塞,重新置入引流管.在X线监视下置管时间为23～48 min,平均33 min.6例患者均能够耐受,未出现经鼻置管并发症.经过持续负压吸引6～40 d(平均23 d),患者瘘口愈合.结论 X线监视下经鼻瘘腔内置入引流管治疗食管癌术后吻合口-纵隔瘘的方法简便、安全、有效.     

国产金属内支架置入治疗良恶性食管狭窄(附25例分析)

目的 :采用国产金属内支架置入治疗良恶性食管狭窄。方法 :2 5例良恶性食管狭窄患者 ,均在 X线监视下 ,经口将导丝安全通过狭窄段 ,行球囊扩张后置入金属支架。结果 :全部病例均顺利置入支架 ,不仅有效地缓解了进食困难 ,改善了营养状况 ,同时还使食管气管瘘及食管纵隔瘘患者瘘口封闭 ,为其减轻感染及进一步治疗造成狭窄的原发病提供了时机。结论 :食管内支架置入术是治疗良恶性食管狭窄的一种安全有效地方法、应用国产金属内支架 ,既可减轻患者经济负担 ,又可达到进口支架同样的效果而成首选。     

Disappearance of esophageal carcinoma after stenting combined with endoscopic laser therapy

A 92-year-old man with dysphagia secondary to squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus was palliated repeatedly with endoscopic laser therapy and insertion of esophageal stents. During the treatment period of 32 months, the patient could be fed perorally while ingrowth of tumor, development of new stenoses at the edges of the stents, and breakage of one stent were encountered. A tracheoesophageal fistula developed at the upper edge of the first stent. The patient died from aspiration pneumonia. At autopsy, no cancer cells were found in the esophagus. Combined endoscopic laser treatment and stent therapy may keep a patient free from dysphagia during a long period of time and also may result in the complete disappearance of tumor growth in the esophagus.     

Covered metallic stent placement in the management of cervical esophageal strictures

PURPOSE: To describe the authors' experience with self-expandable covered metallic stents in 16 patients with malignant and benign cervical esophageal strictures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen expandable covered metallic stents were placed with fluoroscopic guidance in 16 patients (14 men, two women; mean age, 60 years; age range, 26-75 years) with malignant and benign strictures of the cervical esophagus. The causes of strictures were ingestion of corrosive agents (n = 3), biopsy-proved squamous cell carcinoma (n = 12), and postsurgical scarring (n = 1). The mean dysphagia scores at presentation were compared with those after stent placement by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. RESULTS: Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. The reduction in the mean dysphagia score after stent placement was statistically significant (P = .0327). All patients complained of mild to severe foreign body sensation, with four reporting severe pain necessitating immediate stent removal. With the exception of one patient with limited follow-up, complications requiring intervention occurred in all patients, including migration in nine patients and tissue hyperproliferation in two. Of the 12 patients with a malignant stricture of the esophagus, four patients eventually underwent gastrostomy for the placement of a feeding tube and one patient underwent surgery. All four patients with a benign cervical stricture failed to achieve long-lasting improvement with temporary stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: Although the placement of covered metallic stents in the cervical esophagus provides adequate initial palliation, it is associated with poor patient tolerance and a high complication rate.     

Comparison of temporary and permanent stent placement with concurrent radiation therapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical effectiveness of temporary metallic stent placement with concurrent radiation therapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma by comparing it with permanent stent placement with concurrent radiation therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents were placed in 47 patients with esophageal carcinoma 1 week before starting radiation therapy; the stents were electively removed 4 weeks after placement in 24 patients (group A), while not electively removed in the other 23 patients (group B). In cases of complications, the stents were also removed from patients in groups A and B. The dysphagia score, complications (severe pain, granulation tissue formation, stent migration, esophagorespiratory fistula, and hematemesis), tumor overgrowth/regrowth, reintervention rates, and dysphagia-progression-free and overall survival rates were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: Stent placement or removal was technically successful and well tolerated in all patients. The dysphagia score was significantly improved in both groups after stent placement (P < .01). Each of the stent-related complications was less in group A than in group B but there was no significant difference. However, the total number of patients with one or more than one complications and who needed related reinterventions was significantly less in group A than in group B (P = .042 and .030, respectively). Tumor overgrowth/regrowth and the total number of patients who required related reinterventions was not significantly different (P = 1.00 and .517, respectively). Dysphagia-progression-free and overall survival rates were significantly longer in group A than in group B (P = .005 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Temporary placement of a covered retrievable expandable metallic stent with concurrent radiation therapy for patients with esophageal carcinoma is beneficial for reducing complications and related reinterventions and for increasing resultant survival rates compared with permanent esophageal stent placement.     

食管癌术后吻合口瘘的影像表现与临床处理

目的探讨食管胃吻合口瘘的不同影像表现在介入治疗中的价值。方法对68例食管癌术后食管-胃吻合口瘘患者,根据吻合口瘘发生的时间、瘘口部位及周围脓腔大小,采用透视下经鼻腔置入胃减压管、空肠营养管和脓腔引流管,再择期置入食管内支架封堵瘘口的治疗方法。结果经鼻腔置入胃减压管、空肠营养管和脓腔引流管位置合适。经复查治愈40例,治愈率58.5%(40/68)。28例支架置人治疗吻合口瘘中6例置入7枚蘑菇状覆膜内支架,22例置入24枚编织型双喇叭覆膜内支架,技术操作全部成功,脓腔愈合后将引流管拔出。随访期间25例支架封堵瘘口完全,治愈率89.3%(25/28)。4例3个月后支架上缘再狭窄,再次置入新支架;1例支架置入2个月后因反流性食管炎而取出支架。2例1个月后发生大出血死亡;1例于术后3个月死于严重肺部感染。结论食管癌术后吻合口瘘的治疗,应根据影像表现的不同,采用脓腔及时、有效的引流,空肠营养管及胃减压管置入,择期食管内支架置入等介入治疗手段,安全、有效、经济。