Palliation of malignant esophageal strictures: initial results with self-expanding uncovered nitinol coil stents

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of the uncovered coil stents in patients with malignant dysphagia. Coiled spring-shaped uncovered self-expanding metallic Esophacoil stents (Instent, Eden Prairie, Minnesota) were placed in 11 patients (9 men and 2 women; age range 38–77 years, mean age 60.5 years) with malignant esophageal strictures and dysphagia, under fluoroscopic guidance. Dysphagia was graded on a scale of 0 to 4 (0 = no dysphagia; 1 = dysphagia to normal solids; 2 = dysphagia to soft solids; 3 = dysphagia to solids and liquids; 4 = complete dysphagia, inability to swallow saliva). Two patients had received radiation therapy, 4 had had chemotherapy, and 5 had had a combination of both radiation and chemotherapy before stent palliation. Control clinical examinations and endoscopic or barium swallow studies were performed every 4 weeks until the patient died. The stents were well tolerated by all patients and were effective in 9 of 11 patients with malignant dysphagia. Complications of the procedure included incomplete opening of the stent in 1 case, migration in 1 case, transient pain in 8 cases, reflux in 3 cases and minor gastrointestinal bleeding in 2 cases. Stent migration in 1 case resulted in surgical intervention and incomplete opening of the stent allowed only partial improvement of dysphagia in 1 case. The quality of life significantly improved in all other patients. Mean survival time of the patients was 73 days (range 34–125 days) and no significant tumor ingrowth was detected during the follow-up period. Insertion of an Esophacoil has a good palliative effect on dysphagia in patients with malignant esophageal strictures with few complications. Although the stent is uncovered, tumor ingrowth and overgrowth were not observed in our study, possibly because of previous treatments. Received: 22 July 1998; Revision received: 30 November 1998; Accepted: 21 December 1998     

Clinical results of carotid artery stenting with a nitinol self-expanding stent (SMART stent)

Our objective was to assess the technical feasibility and the clinical results of internal carotid artery (ICA) stenting using a nitinol self-expanding stent (SMART stent). In 13 patients 13 high-grade stenoses of the internal carotid artery were treated via an implantation of a SMART stent. In all cases a predilation of the stenosis and a postdilation within the stent were performed. Follow-up examinations were carried out in all patients after a period of 6 months. In each case the implantation of the stent was performed without technical complications. In 12 of 13 cases the stent was placed in the patients' internal carotid artery, in 1 case from the internal to the common carotid artery (CCA). The average degree of stenosis of 78% (70-95%) was reduced to an average of 2.8% (0-21%). The 6-month follow-up angiography showed an average degree of restenosis of 11.8% (0-29%) in 8 of 13 patients. Duplex sonography in the remaining 5 patients demonstrated patent stents. One patient showed brief neurological symptoms during the intervention. No further complications occurred during follow-up time. Treatment of internal carotid artery stenosis with the SMART stent seems technically feasible, safe, and promises long-term patency.     

新型可回撤自膨胀支架在颅内动脉瘤治疗中的应用

目的评价新型可回撤自膨胀支架(LEO)在颅内动脉瘤治疗中的应用价值。方法回顾分析应用LEO支架治疗的43例患者44枚颅内动脉瘤,其中单纯支架治疗16例,支架结合弹簧圈治疗25例,双支架治疗2例,双支架结合弹簧圈治疗1例。并对其进行影像学及临床随访。结果治疗中支架位置调整方便,所有病例支架均成功释放,1例位置欠理想,1例发生急性支架内血栓,随访中1例发生晚期支架内血栓,1例发生内膜过度增生,22枚(50.0%)动脉瘤达即刻致密栓塞,29例获得影像随访的患者中72.4%动脉瘤治愈或较前好转,13.8%动脉瘤稳定,3例夹层动脉瘤发生瘤体短期内增大,2例患者死亡。结论LEO系统具有释放可控性强、简捷安全、可选择型号广泛等优点,在颅内动脉瘤栓塞和管壁重建中有一定优势。     

食管支架治疗食管恶性狭窄的临床应用研究

目的：回顾性分析食管支架放置对恶性食管疾病的治疗并由此带来的生存质量的提高、生存期的延长以及食管支架放置过程中、术后出现的并发症及其相关因素。方法：利多卡因行口腔及咽喉部麻醉，置开口器，透视下将超滑导丝与8F大腔导管送入食管内，撤出导丝，经导管行食管造影标记定位病变区。导丝及导管进入胃内，置换不折导丝，部分病人行预扩张选择合适支架，沿导丝送至病变部位，透视监视下缓慢释放。结果：本组326例食管疾病患者共放置369枚食管支架，343枚支架一次放置成功，所有支架释放后即刻位置满意者337枚。放置支架后患者的一般状况很快得到好转。并发症有疼痛、再狭窄、支架移位、胃内容物反流、出血、支架嵌顿填塞、打嗝，其中l例于放置支架后30h因大出血死亡。结论：对于重度吞咽困难而又失去手术机会或拒绝接受手术治疗的食管癌患者。经口腔放置食管支架是一种操作安全可靠、微创、简单易行、见效快、费用相对低廉的治疗方法。     

Management of acute malignant colorectal obstruction with a novel self-expanding metallic stent as a bridge to surgery

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of a newly designed self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) in the treatment of patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction.

Methods

Between April 2001 and October 2007, 52 patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction were treated with a new designed SEMS as an investigational bridge to surgery. Patients were prospectively followed and relevant data collection was collected, including details regarding technique, clinical symptoms, complications, need for elective surgery, and overall survival.

Results

Stent placement was technically successful in all but two patients (due to complete obstruction) with no procedure-related complications. Complications included stent migration (n = 4), anal pain (n = 2) and stool impaction (n = 1). Clinical success was achieved in 49 (98%) of 50 patients with resolution of bowel obstruction within 2 days of stent placement. In one patient with stool impaction 2 days after stent placement, endoscopic disimpaction was successfully performed. An elective one-stage surgical procedure was performed in all 50 patients who successfully received a SEMS as a bridge to surgery within a mean of 8 ± 2 days (range: 4-11 days) after stent placement. Mean follow-up time was 36 ± 12 months (range 3-70 months), and all patients remained alive at the time of this report.

Conclusion

The newly designed SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery was a safe and effective intervention for colonic decompression in patients with acute malignant colorectal obstruction and allowed a high proportion of patients to be successfully proceeded to elective surgery.     

Palliative treatment of inoperable malignant esophageal strictures with conically shaped covered self-expanding stents

Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness of conically shaped covered self-expanding (Flamingo) stents in palliative treatment of malignant esophagogastric strictures in terms of patency, improved dysphagia score and survival.Material and Methods: Flamingo stents were placed under fluoroscopic guidance between August 1998 and December 1999 for palliation of malignant dysphagia in 33 cases. There were 21 males and 12 females aged 40-80 years (average 64.2 years).Results: Stent placement was successful in all patients, with good symptomatic control and no procedure-related complications. Spontaneous esophago-respiratory fistula and perforation accompanying malignant esophageal stricture in a total of 4 cases (12.2%) were successfully closed. In 1 case, tumor ingrowth was detected from the distal uncovered segment of the stent. In 2 cases with esophago-respiratory fistula, gastrointestinal bleeding occurred. The cause of hemorrhage could not be found by angiography. The mean survival time in 17 patients, later deceased, was 129 days (range 9-360), and the mean observation time in 16 patients still alive is 180 days (range 18-365).Conclusion: Flamingo stents provide an effective and safe choice of palliative therapy in inoperable malignant esophagogastric strictures.     

金属内支架植入姑息性治疗食管恶性狭窄

目的 评价金属内支架在食管恶性狭窄治疗中的作用。方法 ２５例病人（男２１例、女４例,年龄４６～４８岁）行进口食管自膨式金属内支架植入术,其中单纯恶性狭窄２２例、食管气管漏２例、食管隔漏１例,共植入支架２７枚。结果 植入术后狭窄明显改善,症状明显减轻,疗效满意;随访２～１８个月,支架保持开放、食管保持通畅。结论 金属内支架植入术是治疗食管恶性狭窄的有效的姑息性疗法。     

Endovascular treatment of intrahepatic inferior vena cava obstruction from malignant hepatocellular tumor thrombus utilizing Luminexx self-expanding nitinol stents

Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is a well-described clinical entity. Most IVC obstructions from malignant neoplasms are a direct result of tumor compression [Oviedo J, Cerda S. Vascular invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2001;125: 454–5; Furui S, Sawada S, et al. Gianturco stent placement in malignant caval obstruction: analysis of factors for predicting the outcome. Radiology 1995;195:147–52; Fletcher WS, Lakin PC, et al. Results of treatment of inferior vena cava syndrome with expandable metallic stents. Arch Surg 1998;133:935–8]. The symptoms of IVC obstruction include progressive ascites, scrotal edema and lower body edema. These constellations of symptoms are described as IVC syndrome and are devastating to a patient with end-stage cancer. We describe a palliative therapy utilizing Luminexx nitinol self-expanding stents to treat intracaval hepatoma thrombus obstructing the IVC. The procedure is rapidly performed, technically reliable, and has essentially no morbidity or mortality. This procedure can be performed in the interventional radiology suite with excellent results resolving the IVC syndrome soon after placement of the stents. We believe endovascular stenting as an excellent palliative therapy for patients with IVC syndrome and should be the treatment of choice for caval obstructions due to intraluminal tumor thrombus.     

Temporary metallic stent placement in the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures: results and factors associated with outcome in 55 patients

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of temporary metallic stenting in 55 patients with treatment-resistant benign esophageal strictures and to identify factors associated with clinical outcomes. Under fluoroscopic guidance, covered retrievable stents were placed in 55 patients with benign esophageal strictures and were removed with retrieval hook 1 week to 6 months after placement. Stent placement was successful in all patients, and the mean dysphagia score was reduced from 2.8 to 1.3 (p < 0.001). The most common complications were tissue hyperproliferation (31%), severe pain (24%), and stent migration (25%). During follow-up (mean: 38 months), recurrence of the stricture necessitating balloon dilation was seen in 38 (69%) of 55 patients. Maintained patency rates after temporary stenting at 1, 3, and 6 months and 1, 2, and 4 years were 58%, 43%, 38%, 33%, 26%, and 21%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, length (p = 0.003) of the stricture was the only significant factor associated with maintained patency after temporary stenting. In conclusion, temporary metallic stenting for refractory benign esophageal strictures may be effective during the period of stent placement, but is disadvantaged by the high recurrence rates after stent removal, particularly in patients with a long length of stricture (>7 cm).     

Long-term safety and outcome of a temporary self-expanding metallic stent for achalasia: a prospective study with a 13-year single-center experience

To prospectively evaluate the long-term clinical safety and efficacy of a newly designed self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS) in the treatment of patients with achalasia. Seventy-five patients with achalasia were treated with a temporary SEMS with a 30-mm diameter. The SEMSs were placed under fluoroscopic guidance and removed by gastroscopy 4–5 days after stent placement. Follow-up data focused on dysphagia score, technique and clinical success, clinical remissions and failures, and complications and was performed at 6 months, 1 year, and within 3 to 5 years, 5 to 8 years, 8 to 10 years, and >10 years postoperatively. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. Complications included stent migration (n = 4, 5.33%), chest pain (n = 28, 38.7%), reflux (n = 15, 20%), and bleeding (n = 9, 12%). No perforation or 30-day mortality occurred. Clinical success was achieved in all patients 1 month after stent removal. The overall remission rates at 6 months, 1, 1–3, 3–5, 5–8, 8–10, and >10 year follow-up periods were 100%, 96%, 93.9%, 90.9%, 100%, 100%, and 83.3%, respectively. Stent treatment failed in six patients, and the overall remission rate in our series was 92%. The median and mean primary patencies were 2.8 ± 0.28 years (95% CI: 2.25–3.35) and 4.28 ± 0.40 years (95% CI: 3.51–5.05), respectively. The use of temporary SEMSs with 30-mm diameter proved to be a safe and effective approach for managing achalasia with a long-term satisfactory clinical remission rate. Supported by the National Key Medical Research and Development Program of China during the 9th Five-year Plan Period (no. 96–907–03–04), Shanghai Nature Science Funds (no. 02Z1314073), Shanghai Medical Development Funds (no. 00419), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 30670614).     

Colorectal Stenting: An Effective Therapy for Preoperative and Palliative Treatment

Purpose To demonstrate the effectiveness of preoperative and palliative colorectal stent placement in acute colonic obstruction. Methods Sixty-seven consecutive patients (mean age 67.3 years, range 25–93 years) with clinical and radiological signs of colonic obstruction were treated: 45 (67%) preoperatively and 22 (33%) with a palliative intent. In 59 patients (88%) the obstruction was malignant, while in 8 (12%) it was benign. A total of 73 enteric Wallstents were implanted under combined fluoroscopic/endoscopic guidance. Results Forty-five patients were treated preoperatively with a technical success rate of 84%, a clinical success rate of 83%, and a complication rate of 16%. Of the 38 patients who were successfully stented preoperatively, 36 (95%) underwent surgery 2–22 days (mean 7.2 days) after stent insertion. The improved general condition and adequate bowel cleansing allowed single-stage tumor resection and primary end-to-end anastomosis without complications in 31 cases (86% of all operations), while only 5 patients had colostomies. Stent placement was used as the final palliative treatment in 22 patients. The technical success rate was 95%, the clinical success rate 72%, and the complication rate relatively high at 67%, caused by reocclusion in most cases. After noninvasive secondary interventions (e.g., tube placement, second stenting, balloon dilatation) the secondary patency of stents was 71% and mean reported survival time after stent insertion was 92 days (range 10–285 days). Conclusion Preoperative stent placement in acute colonic obstruction is minimally invasive and allows an elective one-stage surgery in most cases. Stent placement also proved a valuable alternative to avoid colostomy in palliation.     

自膨式支架成形术治疗基底动脉粥样硬化性狭窄围手术期并发症分析

目的：探讨自膨式Wingspan支架治疗症状性重度基底动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的围手术期并发症。方法回顾性收集2007年7月至2013年4月在郑州大学人民医院介入科接受Wingspan支架成形术治疗的91例症状性重度基底动脉粥样硬化性狭窄患者的相关临床资料。根据术者手术经验,将早期完成的30例患者定义为A组,中期完成的30例患者定义为B组,近期完成的31例患者定义为C组。分析围手术期并发症发生率、危险因素及预防措施。结果所有患者均成功实施支架成形术。平均狭窄率由术前(82.2±5.8)%改善至术后即刻(15.9±5.7)%;围手术期30 d内发生脑卒中事件13例(14.3%,13/91)：穿支卒中8例(8.8%,8/91)、血栓形成4例(4.4%,4/91)、蛛网膜下腔出血1例(1.1%,1/91);致死致残性脑卒中2例(2.2%,2/91)(死亡1例、重残1例),未出现其它非卒中相关并发症。统计学分析显示围手术期缺血性脑卒中的发生与病变累及基底动脉中段(P=0.049)、病变节段长(P=0.002)、狭窄度较重(P=0.001)相关,与术者手术经验不相关(P=1.000)。结论自膨式Wingspan支架成形术治疗症状性重度基底动脉粥样硬化性狭窄的围手术期并发症发生率相对较高,基底动脉中段、长节段重度狭窄患者更易发生并发症,但致死致残性脑卒中发生率较低。     

金属内支架胆管引流与放射治疗结合治疗肝外胆管癌

目的回顾性分析局部晚期肝外胆管癌金属内支架胆管引流结合放射治疗的疗效。方法1996年1月至2002年9月收治17例不能手术切除肝外胆管癌患者,先接受金属支架行胆管引流,3例治疗1周内失访,其余14例单纯近距离放疗(近距离照射组,n=5)或外照射(外照射组,n=9,其中包括2例近距离 外照射)。Ir192高剂量率近距离放疗在金属内支架置入当天或隔天治疗。外照射的中位剂量48Gy(14～66Gy),2Gy/次。结果经金属内支架置入结合放疗后,10例黄疸患者中8例黄疸消褪,近距离和外照射对缓解黄疸症状无显著差别。全组中位生存期12个月(5～35个月),1、2年生存率分别为40.8%和8.2%。近距离治疗组与体外照射组的中位生存期、1、2年生存率分别为8个月、40.0%、20.2%和12个月、40.0%、13.3%(χ2=1.10,P=0.29)。结论金属内支架胆管引流结合放射治疗可以显著缓解黄疸症状,高剂量放射治疗可以进一步提高长期生存。     

Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation for benign anastomotic stricture in the upper gastrointestinal tract

A benign anastomotic stricture is a common complication of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery and is difficult to manage conservatively. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation has a number of advantages and is a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of various benign anastomotic strictures in the UGI tract.     

Malignant Esophagogastric Junction Obstruction: Efficacy of Balloon Dilation Combined with Chemotherapy and/or Radiation Therapy

Purpose: To assess the efficacy of balloon dilation combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy for palliation of dysphagia due to malignant esophagogastric junction strictures. Methods: Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation was attempted in 20 patients. The causes of strictures were gastric adenocarcinoma (n = 10) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (n = 10). Scheduled chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy followed balloon dilation in all patients. Results: There were no technical failures or major complications. After balloon dilation, 15 (75%) patients showed improvement of dysphagia. No patient complained of reflux esophagitis during the follow-up period. Among the 15 patients, seven needed no further treatment for palliation of dysphagia until their deaths. The remaining eight patients underwent repeat balloon dilation (n = 4) or stent placement (n = 4) 3–43 weeks (mean 15 weeks) after the initial balloon dilation because of recurrent dysphagia. Conclusion: Balloon dilation combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy seems to be an easy and reasonably effective palliative treatment for malignant esophagogastric strictures.     

Partially covered Gianturco stent for tracheobronchial stricture caused by intraluminal tumor

Partially covered Gianturco stents were used successfully in two patients to treat tracheobronchial strictures caused by intraluminal tumor growth. The stents were accurately placed without complications. The covered portion of the stent compressed the tumor, and prevented tumor ingrowth until the patients’ deaths. This stent seems to act as effective palliation for tracheobronchial stricture caused by intraluminal tumor.     

Use of articulated catheters in the treatment of biliary strictures

We have used a single articulated catheter to obviate the need for multiple catheters in patients with complex biliary strictures or strictures associated with small or immature tracts. Two- and three-arm articulated drains (8–14 Fr) made from segments of biliary catheters were placed in 16 patients. Nine were placed transhepatically, 6 transperitoneally through existing T-tube tracts, and 1 through a cystic duct fistula. Six malignant and 10 benign strictures were stented with various catheter configurations through a single tract. Fifteen patients had two catheter components with one articulation and 1 patient had three catheter components with two articulations. The average duration of catheter drainage was 7.0 ± 4.2 months. Routine catheter exchanges were performed; two spontaneous occlusions occurred. In patients where internal stenting may be difficult or undesirable, articulated catheters allow satisfactory external and internal drainage of complex benign and malignant strictures through a single tract, avoiding the need for multiple transhepatic catheters.     

Treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses with balloon dilatation and self-expanding stent deployment (WingSpan)

The endovascular treatment of atherosclerotic intracranial arterial stenoses has previously been based on balloon dilatation or the deployment of a balloon expandable stent. Both methods have advantages (balloon: flexibility; balloon expandable stent: high radial force) and drawbacks (balloon: risk of elastic recoil and dissection; balloon expandable stent: limited flexibility, risk of injury to the vessel due to excessive straightening, overexpansion at ends of stent). A new combination of balloon dilatation, followed by the deployment of a self-expanding microstent has been applied in 15 patients with atherosclerotic arterial stenoses, symptomatic despite medical treatment. An anatomically and clinically adequate result was achieved in all patients. The initial degree of stenosis was 72% (mean). Balloon dilatation resulted in an average residual stenosis of 54% (mean), reduced further to a mean of 38% after stent deployment. Arterial dissection, occlusion of the target artery or symptomatic distal emboli was not encountered. In one patient, a side branch occlusion occurred after dilatation of a M1 stenosis, with complete neurological recovery. All patients were either stable or improved 4 weeks after the treatment. Recurrent TIA did not occur in any patient. Balloon dilatation and subsequent deployment of a self-expandable stent for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenoses combines the advantages of both techniques and allows a rapid, clinically effective and technically safe treatment of these frequently challenging lesions.     

国产镍钛合金支架在食管良恶性狭窄应用中的进一步研究（附34例分析）

目的：通过分析国产镍钛合金支架应用于34例食管良恶性狭窄的结果,进一步评价其临床应用的可行性。方法：本组共收集34例,安放支架38 根（男性23例,女性11例,年龄4－76岁,平均56岁）。其中化学药物致食管狭窄2例、贲门失驰症6例、贲门－食管癌术后吻合口狭窄11例、食管－贲门癌或食管癌术后复发15例。全部支架置入均经胃镜在X线监视下进行。结果：支架置入均获得成功,改善患者的进食能力,提高患者的生活质量,术后随访观察1－16个月（平均6个月）,13例失去联系,其余21例定期随访观察。进一步证实使用国产镍钛合金支架治疗食管良恶性狭窄是安全有效的。结论：①置入支架以喇叭形被覆支架临床效果最好,成功率高、副作用少。②置放支架的同时要根据不同的病因制定相应的治疗措施。     

Treatment of malignant biliary obstruction with a PTFE-covered self-expandable nitinol stent.

OBJECTIVE: We wanted to determine the technical and clinical efficacy of using a PTFE-covered self-expandable nitinol stent for the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-seven patients with common bile duct strictures caused by malignant disease were treated by placing a total of 37 nitinol PTFE stents. These stents were covered with PTFE with the exception of the last 5 mm at each end; the stent had an unconstrained diameter of 10 mm and a total length of 50-80 mm. The patient survival rate and stent patency rate were calculated by performing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. The bilirubin, serum amylase and lipase levels before and after stent placement were measured and then compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The average follow-up duration was 27.9 weeks (range: 2-81 weeks). RESULTS: Placement was successful in all cases. Seventy-six percent of the patients (28/37) experienced adequate palliative drainage for the remainder of their lives. There were no immediate complications. Three patients demonstrated stent sludge occlusion that required PTBD (percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage) irrigation. Two patients experienced delayed stent migration with stone formation at 7 and 27 weeks of follow-up, respectively. Stent insertion resulted in acute elevations of the amylase and lipase levels one day after stent insertion in 11 patients in spite of performing endoscopic sphincterotomy (4/6). The bilirubin levels were significantly reduced one week after stent insertion (p < 0.01). The 30-day mortality rate was 8% (3/37), and the survival rates were 49% and 27% at 20 and 50 weeks, respectively. The primary stent patency rates were 85%, and 78% at 20 and 50 weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: The PTFE-covered self-expandable nitinol stent is safe to use with acceptable complication rates. This study is similar to the previous studies with regard to comparing the patency rates and survival rates.