Long-term outcomes of balloon dilation of esophageal strictures in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term success of the use of angioplasty balloons for dilation of esophageal strictures in children.


METHODS
The authors studied 24 children who had undergone fluoroscopically guided angioplasty balloon dilation of esophageal strictures. Ten children had stricture of the anastomosis after surgical repair of esophageal atresia; five had achalasia; three had strictures due to gastroesophageal reflux; three had corrosive strictures; two had congenital stenosis; and one had stricture after radiation therapy. Success was defined as resolution of the dysphagia a year after dilation.


RESULTS
A year after the last dilation, 15 of the 24 children had no dysphagia. Patients in whom treatment was successful included eight children with strictures after surgery for esophageal atresia, one with achalasia, three with strictures caused by gastroesophageal reflux, one with a corrosive stricture, one with congenital stenosis, and one with a stricture resulting from radiation therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The long-term results of balloon catheter dilation are highly successful in patients with stricture after surgical repair of esophageal atresia and stricture due to gastroesophageal reflux. Dilation is not as valuable in the treatment of esophageal strictures resulting from other causes.
Lisý
J
J
Clinic for Imaging Methods, University Hospital Motol, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic.
Hetková
M
M
Snajdauf
J
J
Vyhnánek
M
M
Tůma
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002404:Catheterization; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome