title: Palliation of malignant esophageal obstruction and fistulas with covered self expandable metallic stents: assessment of a simple fluroscopic method.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To introduce a convenient, quick and effective way to place self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) to relieve dysphagia and fistula caused by esophageal carcinoma.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of 36 patients (25 men, 11 women), aged 38-82 years (median, 52.7 years) underwent stent placement using a 7F long sheath of 55 cm and fully covered SEMS under local anesthesia with fluoroscopic control.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Stent placement was successful in all patients. Swallowing improved from mean dysphagia score 3.44 ± 0.50 to score 0.69 ± 0.71 (P = 0.000). There were no clinically significant complications during and after the deployment of stents. Migration was noted in 4 patients. Restenting was needed in 3 patients. Removal was needed in 2 patients. Mean survival following stenting was 134.14 d.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SEMSs provide rapid, safe and effective relief of dysphagia and fistula. Using the 7F long sheath of 55 cm could make the procedure easy, quick and safe.
authors: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Zhang
authors: Zongheer Ward, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Shufang
authors: S
authors: Wei
authors: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Jiahong
authors: J
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Caixia
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Xiangxing
authors: X
authors: Ma
authors: Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan, Shandong, China.
authors: Qingliang
authors: Q
authors: Wang
keywords: Esophageal obstruction; dysphagia; fistula; self-expandable metallic stent