title: Nd:YAG laser versus polidocanol injection for palliation of esophageal malignancy: a prospective, randomized study.
abstract: Palliation is often the only treatment that can be offered to patients affected by esophageal malignancy. This prospective study was carried out in order to compare two endoscopic palliative treatments: Nd:YAG laser and local injection of 3% polidocanol. We randomized 34 patients with inoperable malignancies to one of the two treatments. After the first course, 88.8% of the patients in the laser group and 81.5% in the polidocanol group were able to swallow a normal oral caloric intake. Only one major complication (esophageal perforation) was observed (polidocanol group) and was successfully treated with endoscopic placement of a prosthesis. We believe that both techniques are safe and effective for the palliation of esophageal malignant strictures but that polidocanol injection is cheap, simple, and more widely available.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Clinic, University of Verona, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Pasini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ederle
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castagnini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Talamini
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bulighin
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions; D000077423:Polidocanol; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols