title: Direct erosion and prolapse of esophageal stents into the tracheobronchial tree leading to life-threatening airway compromise.
abstract: Covered or uncovered self-expanding metal stents are currently used for the palliative treatment of neoplastic esophageal obstructions or compressions and malignant esophageal leaks or fistulas. This small series, from three different European hospitals, highlights the unusual but significant complication of esophageal stent perforation followed by erosion and prolapse of the endoprosthesis into the tracheobronchial tree causing acute airway compromise or aspiration. Possible causal mechanisms and means of treatment are discussed to raise physician awareness of this life-threatening complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, SE1 7EH, London, England. katsanos@med.upatras.gr
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Katsanos
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sabharwal
authors.forename: Efstratios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koletsis
authors.forename: Nicos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fotiadis
authors.forename: Shuvro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy-Choudhury
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dougenis
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Adam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001980:Bronchi / Q000293:injuries*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D053120:Respiratory Aspiration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014132:Trachea / Q000293:injuries*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology*