title: Fatal Hemorrhage following perforation of the aorta by a barb of the Gianturco-Rösch esophageal stent.
abstract: Self-expanding metal stents are an established option in the palliative treatment of malignant stenoses of the esophagus. Herein, we report on a 60-year-old man with a recurrent stenosis that developed 2 months after radiochemotherapy for a squamous cell carcinoma in the middle part of the esophagus. To relieve progressive dysphagia, a Gianturco-Rösch stent (Cook-Z stent, 10 cm, PE-covered, manufactured by William Cook Europe) was implanted. Six weeks later, precipitous massive hemoptysis leading to the collapse and death of the patient occurred. Autopsy showed that a barb in the middle of the stent had perforated the aortic arch, resulting in massive bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, and aspiration. Although hemorrhage and esophageal perforation are known late complications of all types of metal stents, our case is the first description of a perforation involving a fixation barb. These barbs are a particular feature of the European version of the Cook-Z stent, and are intended to prevent stent migration. In future, any hemorrhage observed after stent implantation should prompt a search for perforation by a barb (autopsy!). If necessary, the European version of the Gianturco Z stent should be modified.
authors.affiliation: Medizinische Klinik I (Ltd. Arzt Prof. Dr. H. Lutz), Klinikum Bayreuth.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dirks
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schulz
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schellmann
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stolte
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lutz
mesh_terms: D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000473:pathology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000473:pathology; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000473:pathology*