title: Steroid pulse therapy prevents restenosis following balloon dilatation for esophageal stricture.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation for esophageal stenosis and stricture in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled six children, including three with congenital esophageal stenosis and three with anastomotic strictures after surgery for esophageal atresia, all of whom were treated by balloon dilatation combined with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Methylprednisolone was injected intravenously at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day for 2 days, starting from the day of dilatation, followed by 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days, for a total of 4 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Esophageal stricture recurred in all three patients with congenital esophageal stenosis despite repeated balloon dilatation without methylprednisolone. However, the symptoms of dysphagia improved and did not recur after systemic steroid pulse therapy following balloon dilatation. Symptoms also resolved in all three patients with anastomotic strictures following balloon dilatation with systemic steroid pulse therapy. All six patients remained asymptomatic after 6-21 months follow-up, with no complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy following balloon dilatation is safe and effective for the treatment of esophageal stenosis and strictures in children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan. hiro2013@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Hiroo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihide
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanano
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Chiyoe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shirota
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Takahisa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tainaka
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Akinari
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinoki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Naruhiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Murase
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oshima
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shirotsuki
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, 65 Tsurumai, Showa, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.
authors.forename: Kosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chiba
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D004106:Dilatation; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: Balloon dilatation; Congenital esophageal stenosis; Esophageal stricture; Steroid pulse; Systemic administration