Palliation of malignant dysphagia with expanding metallic stents

PURPOSE: The authors describe their experience with expanding metallic stents for the palliation of malignant dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 52-month period, 138 stents were inserted in 121 patients with malignant esophageal obstruction. The average age was 74 years; there were 78 men and 43 women. Data regarding the degree of initial dysphagia, presence of an esophago-respiratory fistula, effect of stent placement on swallowing ability, complications at the time of stent placement, and long-term survival were obtained. RESULTS: An improvement in dysphagia symptoms was recorded in more than 95% of patients. The average survival after stent placement was 24 weeks. Complications necessitating further intervention occurred in 26 patients. CONCLUSION: Insertion of self-expanding metallic endoprostheses for the palliation of malignant esophageal obstruction is an effective therapy that can be carried out with relative ease. Successful palliation of symptoms can be expected in more than 95% of cases.     

自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架治疗食管-气管瘘

目的:探讨自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架治疗各种食管瘘的方法,常见并发症的预防与处理。方法:采用自膨式国产金属食管覆膜支架,在X线监视下或胃直视下用推送器经口置入食管病变部位,共治疗食管瘘患者57例,其中食管-气管瘘18例,食管-支气管瘘25例,食管-纵隔瘘9例,食管-纵隔-支气管瘘5例。结果:57例患者均顺利完成支架置入,即时堵瘘率为100%,未出现技术问题及严重并发症。所有患者均达到了改善进食、提高生活质量的治疗效果。结论:自膨式国产食管覆膜支架适用于治疗各种食管瘘,操作简便、疗效安全,且价格低廉,是一项值得推广的技术。     

Self-expandable metallic stent placement for patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma: investigation of the influence of prior radiotherapy and chemotherapy

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and complications of self-expandable metallic stent placement for patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma after radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Materials and methods We obtained data from 19 patients with advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma between 1996 and 2000. In all patients, a self-expandable metallic stent was placed under fluoroscopic guidance. Dysphagia before and after stent placement was graded. Complications after stent placement were also evaluated. Data were compared between patients with and without prior radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Results The procedure was technically successful in all but one patient. The dysphagia grade improved in all patients. No life-threatening complications occurred. The other major complications such as mediastinitis occurred in two patients, and pneumonia and funnel phenomenon occurred in one patient each. These patients had a history of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy prior to stent placement. Eight of the twelve patients with prior radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy compared with one of seven patients without prior therapy had persistent chest pain, which was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Conclusion Placement of self-expandable metallic stents was effective for patients with advanced or recurrent esophageal carcinoma. However, prior irradiation and/or chemotherapy increased the risk of persistent chest pain after stent placement.     

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     

自膨式支架治疗恶性食管狭窄

目的：评价置入自膨式食管支架缓解因恶性食管狭窄引起的咽下困难的安全性和效果。方法：３６例恶性食管狭窄患者放置了自膨式金属支架，所有患者均表现为明显的咽下困难，支架置入前后行食管造影对比观察。全部操作均在Ｘ线监视下进行。结果：所有患者支架位置放置正常，无操作失误和与操作有关的并发症发生，支架置入后咽下困难立即得到明显缓解。３６例中３５例可以进正常饮食，１例进半流食。结论：自膨式支架治疗恶性食管狭窄安全，操作简单，疗效确实。食管肿瘤的生长可能引起食管再狭窄。     

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.     

Radiological evaluation of covered self-expandable metallic stents used for palliation in patients with malignant esophageal strictures

Purpose: To study the role of self-expandable metallic stents in malignant esophageal strictures in terms of patency, improved dysphagia score, and possible associated complications.

Material and Methods: Twenty-two patients with inoperable carcinoma of the esophagus underwent stent placement. Four different varieties of covered stents were used. Stenting was performed under fluoroscopic guidance and local pharyngeal anesthesia. During follow-up, patients were examined clinically and radiologically to assess the effectiveness of stents in relieving dysphagia, to check the stent position, patency, and possible complications.

Results: Fluoroscopic placement of the stent was successful and well tolerated in all patients without any serious complications. Accurate stent placement was possible in 95% of cases. The mean dysphagia score prior to stenting was 3.5 and poststent 1.2, with an improvement of 2.3 degrees. In two patients with associated fistulas, complete closure was seen after stent insertion. There was poor stent expansion in three patients. Significant tumor overgrowth occurred in two patients, and a second overlapping stent was deployed in one case. Three patients developed food impaction, which needed endoscopic removal of impacted food in two cases.

Conclusion: Fluoroscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents is a safe and effective method of palliating severe dysphagia and fistulas in patients with inoperable esophageal carcinoma. However, complications such as tumor overgrowth and food impaction may require reintervention after stent placement.     

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.     

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).     

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.     

国产被膜网状支架治疗食管癌性狭窄初步研究

目的 评价国产被膜网状支架治疗食管癌性狭窄的价值,探讨支架置入的相关技术。方法 本组30例,置入支架前,行食管造影,并用X线显影尺精确定位,然后用超滑导丝、导引导管引入超硬导丝,对狭窄部扩张后,将支架置入预定部位。结果 30例共置入支架31枚,所有病例均一次成功,患者吞咽功能明显改善,未出现食管穿孔、大出血或死亡等严重并发症。结论 国产被膜网状支架治疗食管癌性狭窄安全、有效;相关技术的改进,可减少患者不适及并发症,提高支架放置的成功率及准确性。     

Gastrobronchial fistula: Treatment with a covered tracheobronchial stent and an integrated Y-shaped metallic stent

A 53-year-old man presented with severe cough and pulmonary infection 1 month after receiving a second mushroom-shaped covered metallic stent for occluding a gastrobronchial fistula (GBF). The fistula was caused by an esophageal stent that was placed 4 months after esophagogastrectomy for the treatment of gastroesophageal stenosis. Six months before the patient was admitted to our hospital, he had undergone esophagogastrectomy for esophageal cancer; a thoracic anastomosis was created, and a wide gastric tube was inserted through a left thoracotomy. Multislice computed tomography, gastroscopy, and esophagography with contrast medium revealed a fistulous communication between the right posterior wall of the upper residual stomach and the dorsal segment of the left lower lobe bronchus after the removal of stents. A short covered stent and a partially covered integrated inverted Y-shaped metallic stent were implanted into the bronchi, and subsequently, the fistula was closed completely. The patient was discharged 2 weeks after stent placement; at the time of discharge, he showed full recovery and complete resolution of the symptoms related to GBF.     

食管内支架置入后的随访研究

目的食管狭窄置入金属支架后长期随访，观察其疗效和并发症。方法４３例食管狭窄放置了金属支架患者有较完整的随访资料。良性狭窄１４例，恶性狭窄２９例。置入Ｕｌｔｒｅｆｌｅｘ支架３２例，ＧｉａｎｔｕｒｃｏＺ型带膜支架４例，国产网状支架６例，Ｗａｌｓｔｅｎｔ支架１例。门诊随访行食管造影和内窥镜检查２７例，电话或信访１６例。结果１～３２个月随访观察，无支架移位。２４例死亡，术后生存时间１７天至２８个月，平均６．８个月。死亡原因：肿瘤广泛转移１９例，肺部感染２例，其他原因引起死亡３例。发生再狭窄１６例，为支架内或两端发生狭窄。肿瘤组织生长造成的狭窄４例，１２例为食管腔内组织过度增生，这类狭窄全部发生在置入支架后４～５个月。支架内狭窄５例，支架两端狭窄１１例，其中１０例为支架上端狭窄。１２例行再次球囊扩张或支架置入。结论肿瘤的生长，特别是粘膜和纤维组织增生是引起再狭窄的主要原因，支架上端狭窄更容易发生吞咽困难。由于再狭窄的发生率较高，对于良性食管狭窄的支架成型术应严格选择病例。     

金属支架治疗恶性肿瘤引起的气管狭窄（附30例分析）

目的 评价金属支架治疗肺癌、食管癌等恶笥肿瘤引起的气管狭窄的可行性和疗效。方法 ３０例肺癌、管癌等恶性肿瘤压迫或侵犯气管，引起气管狭窄和严重的呼吸困难，分别置入自扩型金属支架。１１例患者进行了后续的化学治疗和放射治疗。结果 ３０例狭窄都位于主气管，共置入支架３０个（１２个ＧｉａｎｔｕｒｃｏＺ形支架，８个Ｗａｌｌｓｔｅｎｔ支架１０个Ｕｌｔｒａｆｌｅｘ支架）。所有患者呼吸困难得到立即缓解。１例杖后５６     

带膜金属支架治疗高位食管-气管瘘八例报告

目的 应用带膜金属食管支架解决高位食管－气瘘病人的进食呛咳和梗阻问题。方法 根据食管狭窄的程度、长度，普口部位及狭窄上缘距门齿、食管上端开口处的距离，确定支架长度和支架位置，由内镜直视或结合Ｘ线完成操作。结果 ８例病人均１次放置成功，患者呛咳及吞咽困难症状消失，均在３～５d内能进普食，侧位胸片及内镜双重检查，支架位置准 确，形状为两头呈喇叭样，中间狭窄部直径达１．２～１．５cm。结论 内镜直视配合Ｘ     

Development of a New Hanging-Type Esophageal Stent for Preventing Migration: A Preliminary Study in an Animal Model of Esophagotracheal Fistula

Purpose

Covered, self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) have been enthusiastically adopted for the treatment of esophagotracheal fistula, but problems with stent migration have yet to be resolved. To overcome this problem, we have developed a new hanging-type esophageal stent designed to prevent migration, and we conducted an animal study to assess the efficacy of our method.

Methods

A total of six female pigs were used in this study. The main characteristic of our stent was the presence of a string tied to the proximal edge of the stent for fixation under the skin of the neck. The first experiment was performed to confirm technical feasibility in three pigs with esophagotracheal fistula. The second experiment was performed to evaluate stent migration and esophagotracheal fistula in three pigs.

Results

Creation of the esophagotracheal fistula and stent placement were technically successful in all pigs. In the first experiment, esophagotracheal fistula was sealed by stent placement. In the second experiment, no stent migration was seen 11 or 12?days after stent placement. Gross findings showed no fistulas on the esophageal or tracheal wall.

Conclusions

Our new hanging-type esophageal stent seems to offer a feasible method for preventing stent migration.     

Delayed complications after esophageal stent placement for treatment of malignant esophageal obstructions and esophagorespiratory fistulas

PURPOSE: To evaluate delayed complications after esophageal expandable metallic stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1993 to December 1997, 90 expandable metallic stents were placed in 82 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant esophageal obstruction (n = 49) or malignant esophagorespiratory fistula (n = 33). Stents used included covered Gianturco-Rosch Z stents (n = 20), Wallstents (covered, n = 31; uncovered, n = 13), and Ultraflex stents (covered, n = 8; uncovered, n = 10). Patients were followed prospectively and monitored for delayed complications, defined as major (hemorrhage, tracheal compression, stent migration, perforation or fistula formation, granulomatous obstruction, tumor ingrowth and overgrowth, funnel phenomenon, and stent covering disruption) or minor (reflux, chest pain, and food impaction). RESULTS: Mean survival was 4.5 months after stent placement (range, 3 weeks to 26 months). The overall incidence of delayed complications was 64.6%, with 17 patients (20.7%) experiencing more than one complication. The rates of delayed complications in patients with Z stents, Wallstents, and Ultraflex stents were 75.0%, 68.1%, and 44.4%, respectively (P <.05). Most complications were life-threatening and occurred more frequently when stents were placed in the proximal third of the esophagus, compared with more distally (P <.05). Thirteen patients (15.9%) died from complications directly related to stent placement. CONCLUSION: Esophageal stent placement for malignant obstruction or fistula is associated with a substantial incidence of delayed complications.     

食管肿瘤引起的气管狭窄支架置入治疗

目的探讨气管内支架置入治疗由食管肿瘤或食管金属内支架放置术后引起的气管狭窄的疗效和安全性。方法本组11例气管狭窄患者,8例由食管恶性肿瘤引起,3例为食管金属内支架放置术后压迫气管造成。X线透视下在气管内共植入11枚镍钛合金支架,其中7枚为裸支架,4枚为带膜支架。支架直径16～18mm,长度40～60mm。结果所有患者均成功置入内支架(成功率100%)。术后患者气促、呼吸困难和窒息感均立即缓解或消失,血氧饱和度上升。部分患者在术后1～3d可有少量咳嗽和血痰,经对症治疗后消失,无其他并发症。结论采用气管内金属内支架置入的方法治疗由食管恶性肿瘤或食管金属内支架放置术后引起的气管狭窄是一种作用迅速且安全、有效的方法。     

食管支架术后支架贴壁不良综合征的初步探讨

目的探讨食管支架置入术后贴壁不良综合征(dys-seal syndrome,DSS)的发生原因及相关处理。方法收集我科2001年6月至2008年6月行食管支架手术患者98例,共置入99枚金属支架。其中术后吻合口肿瘤复发狭窄19例,术前有食管癌放疗病史26例,伴食管-气管瘘34例。结果术后7例患者出现DSS(发生率7.1%)。其中有放疗病史及梗阻上段食管明显扩张患者DSS发生率明显升高(χ2=0.017,0.005,P=0.036,0.013)。经禁食,静脉输液或鼻饲等营养支持治疗后,1例患者逐渐恢复至进食半流质;1例于原支架上端再次置入较大直径支架,术后症状无缓解,后失访;2例改行鼻饲管置入;余3例内镜下取出支架。结论食管支架置入术后发生DDS为并发症之一,临床处理预后不良。取出已经置入的支架是较好的治疗措施。应在术前进行适当的评估以排除危险因素,选择合适的支架,加强围手术期管理等有助于DSS的预防。     

Renal Transplant Ureteral Stenosis: Treatment by Self-Expanding Metallic Stent

We report the use of a metallic stent in a transplant ureteral stenosis. A 28-year-old man with chronic renal failure due to chronic pyelonephritis, who received a living-donor renal transplant, presented with transplant ureteral stenosis. The stenosis was unresponsive to balloon dilation and was treated by antegrade placement of a self-expanding Memotherm stent. The stented ureter stayed patent for 3 years. It may be reasonable to treat post-transplant ureteral stenosis resistant to balloon dilation with self-expanding metallic stents. However, long-term follow-up is required to evaluate the efficacy of this treatment.