title: [Percutaneous therapy of inoperable biliary stenoses and occlusions with a new self-expanding nitinol stent (SMART)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the treatment of malignant biliary stenoses and occlusions using a new stent.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, 25 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were treated with SMART(R) stents. The handling and the quality of stent expansion were documented. Stent function was assessed 2 - 4 days after intervention by cholangiography and laboratory tests. A follow-up was performed three months, after stent placement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All lesions were treated successfully, with a total of 35 stents implanted. In 14 patients a further balloon dilatation was performed after stent placement (8 - 10 mm diameter/ 40 - 80 mm length). The mean serum bilirubin level decreased significantly from 11.6 mg/dl to 4.6 mg/dl after intervention (p < 0.05). The follow-up showed a mean serum bilirubin level at 4.0 mg/dl. In 4 cases (16 %) a further intervention (PTCD or stent) was performed. Six patients died due to tumor progression. The stents proved to be patent in 79 % (n = 15) of patients alive at the time of follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Placement of the SMART stent for the therapy of malignant biliary lesions yields good technical and clinical results.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum der Universität Regensburg. nielszorger@aol.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zorger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lenhart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strotzer
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paetzel
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Feuerbach
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Link
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000150:complications; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D004322:Drainage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018285:Klatskin Tumor / Q000150:complications; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol; D001663:Bilirubin