Esophagorespiratory fistulae due to esophageal carcinoma: palliation with a covered Gianturco stent.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate therapeutic effects and complications of a covered Gianturco stent for esophagorespiratory fistulae.


METHODS
Of 95 patients with esophageal carcinomas, 10 had esophagorespiratory fistulae and were treated with a silicone-covered Gianturco stent. The authors retrospectively assessed patients' food intake capacity and delayed problem of the stent.


RESULTS
All fistulae were occluded without immediate complications. Two patients could swallow all foods; four, most foods; three soft foods; and one, only liquids. Clinical problems occurred between 1 and 24 weeks in four patients: reopened fistula (n = 1), recurrent fistula (n = 1) (both patients were successfully treated with another esophageal stent), and dyspnea (n = 2) due to tracheal compression by stent and tracheal invasion by tumor (one patient was treated with a tracheal stent).


CONCLUSIONS
A silicone-covered modified Gianturco stent is effective for palliation of esophagorespiratory fistulae caused by esophageal cancer. Simultaneous use of a tracheal stent is recommended for extrinsic tracheal narrowing by the proximal tip of the stent and invasion by tumor.
Han
Y M
YM
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonju City, Korea.
Song
H Y
HY
Lee
J M
JM
Cho
S I
SI
Chung
G H
GH
Kim
C S
CS
Sohn
M H
MH
Choi
K C
KC
D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications*; D004435:Eating; D004867:Equipment Design; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012828:Silicones; D015607:Stents; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*
D012828:Silicones