title: Intraluminal radioactive stent compared with covered stent alone for the treatment of malignant esophageal stricture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to compare the clinical effectiveness of intraluminal radioactive stent loaded with iodine-125 seeds implantation versus covered stent alone insertion in patients with malignant esophageal stricture.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied two groups of patients with malignant esophageal stricture. Group A comprised 28 patients (19 men and 9 women) who underwent intraluminal radioactive stent loaded with iodine-125 seeds implantation and were followed prospectively. Group B comprised 30 patients (18 men and 12 women) who had previously received covered stent alone insertion; these patients were evaluated retrospectively. There was no crossover between the two groups during follow-up. Informed consent was obtained from each patient, and our institutional review board approved the study. The dysphagia score, overall survival rates, complication rates, and reintervention rates were compared in the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of baseline characteristics. Stent placement was technically successful and well tolerated in all patients. The dysphagia score was improved in both groups after stent placement. The median survival was significantly longer in group A than in group B: 11 versus 4.9 months, respectively (P < 0.001). The complications of chest pain, esophageal reflux, and stent migration was more frequent in group B, but this difference did not reach statistical significance. There was no statistical difference in reintervention between two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraluminal radioactive stent loaded with iodine-125 seeds implantation was a feasible and practical management in treating malignant esophageal stricture and was superior to covered stent alone insertion, as measured by survival.
authors: School of Radiation Medicine and Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China. wzm0722@hotmail.com
authors: Wang
authors: W
authors: Zhongmin
authors: Huang
authors: H
authors: Xunbo
authors: Cao
authors: C
authors: Jun
authors: Huang
authors: H
authors: Gang
authors: Chen
authors: C
authors: Kemin
authors: Liu
authors: L
authors: Yu
authors: Liu
authors: L
authors: Fenju
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes