Endoscopic repair of a complete post-radiation esophageal obstruction.
We describe a 64-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who presented with an obstruction of the esophagus following radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Initial upper gastrointestinal barium swallow studies showed a complete stoppage of the barium column, not unlike that of a congenital esophageal atresia. Therapeutic endoscopy was performed using a two-endoscope, two-operator system that reestablished patency of the esophagus. Repeated endoscopy was then used to continue esophageal dilation with eventual placement of a permanent stent. A video and a comprehensive review of the literature regarding combined antegrade-retrograde dilation techniques used to date are also provided.
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA. tgiever@mcw.edu
Thomas
T
Giever
Klaus
K
Gottlieb
Anders
A
Merg
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004724:Endoscopy; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000528:radiation effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects