Direct erosion and prolapse of esophageal stents into the tracheobronchial tree leading to life-threatening airway compromise.
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.
Katsanos
Konstantinos
K
Department of Interventional Radiology, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, SE1 7EH, London, England. katsanos@med.upatras.gr
Sabharwal
Tarun
T
Koletsis
Efstratios
E
Fotiadis
Nicos
N
Roy-Choudhury
Shuvro
S
Dougenis
Dimitrios
D
Adam
Andreas
A
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*