Korean J Radiol.  2010 Oct;11(5):497-506. 10.3348/kjr.2010.11.5.497.

Benign Strictures of the Esophagus and Gastric Outlet: Interventional Management

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul 138-736, Korea. hysong@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

Benign strictures of the esophagus and gastric outlet are difficult to manage conservatively and they usually require intervention to relieve dysphagia or to treat the stricture-related complications. In this article, authors review the non-surgical options that are used to treat benign strictures of the esophagus and gastric outlet, including balloon dilation, temporary stent placement, intralesional steroid injection and incisional therapy.

Keyword

Benign esophageal strictures; Benign gastric-outlet strictures; Interventional procedure; Fluoroscopy; Endoscopy

MeSH Terms

Balloon Dilation
Electrocoagulation
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
Esophageal Stenosis/*therapy
Gastric Outlet Obstruction/*therapy
Humans
Injections, Intralesional
*Radiography, Interventional
Stents
Steroids/administration & dosage

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Radiation-induced esophageal stricture. A. Esophagogram shows 5-cm long stricture (arrow) in mid-esophageal area. B. Dilation of stricture using 15-mm-diameter balloon under fluoroscopic guidance. Because dilation was not easily accomplished, caliber of balloon catheter was not increased to 20 mm. C. Esophagogram one month after balloon dilation shows improvement of stricture (arrow). Patient's symptoms were also resolved, but symptoms recurred two months later.

  • Fig. 2 Corrosive esophageal stricture. A. Esophagogram shows focal stricture (arrow) at distal esophageal level. B. Severe tight stricture precluded dilation with 10-mm-diameter balloon. C. Placement of retrievable covered metallic stent (arrowheads) at stricture. D. Esophagogram immediately after stent placement shows good contrast passage through stent. E. Esophagogram five years after temporary stenting for two months shows stricture improvement was maintained (arrow).

  • Fig. 3 Peptic ulcer-induced duodenal stricture. A. Upper gastrointestinal series shows peptic ulcer-induced stricture (arrow) in second portion of duodenum. B-E. Under fluoroscopic guidance, stricture was initially dilated with 8-mm-diameter balloon. Because dilation was easily achieved, caliber of balloon catheter was increased to 15 mm. F. Upper gastrointestinal series one year after balloon dilation shows improvement of luminal diameter (arrow).

  • Fig. 4 Benign anastomotic stricture at gastroduodenostomy. A, B. Endoscopic image (arrowhead) and upper gastrointestinal series (arrow) show severe anastomotic stricture upon gastroduodenostomy. C. Because stricture was resistant to repeated balloon dilation, retrievable covered metallic stent (arrow) was inserted. D, E. Three months after stent placement, stent was endoscopically removed using rat-tooth forceps (arrowhead). Endoscopic image immediately after stent removal showed improvement of stricture (arrowheads).


Reference

1. Siersema PD, de Wijkerslooth LR. Dilation of refractory benign esophageal strictures. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009. 70:1000–1012.
2. Cherian PT, Cherian S, Singh P. Long-term follow-up of patients with gastric outlet obstruction related to peptic ulcer disease treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation and drug therapy. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007. 66:491–497.
3. Lew RJ, Kochman ML. A review of endoscopic methods of esophageal dilation. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2002. 35:117–126.
4. Kim JH, Shin JH, Song HY. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation for benign anastomotic stricture in the upper gastrointestinal tract. Korean J Radiol. 2008. 9:364–370.
5. Kochhar R, Dutta U, Sethy PK, Singh G, Sinha SK, Nagi B, et al. Endoscopic balloon dilation in caustic-induced chronic gastric outlet obstruction. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009. 69:800–805.
6. Kim JH, Song HY, Kim HC, Shin JH, Kim KR, Park SW, et al. Corrosive esophageal strictures: long-term effectiveness of balloon dilation in 117 patients. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2008. 19:736–741.
7. Peifer KJ, Shiels AJ, Azar R, Rivera RE, Eagon JC, Jonnalagadda S. Successful endoscopic management of gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007. 66:248–252.
8. Wills JC, Hilden K, Disario JA, Fang JC. A randomized, prospective trial of electrosurgical incision followed by rabeprazole versus bougie dilation followed by rabeprazole of symptomatic esophageal (Schatzki's) rings. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008. 67:808–813.
9. Hordijk ML, van Hooft JE, Hansen BE, Fockens P, Kuipers EJ. A randomized comparison of electrocautery incision with Savary bougienage for relief of anastomotic gastroesophageal strictures. Gastrointest Endosc. 2009. 70:849–855.
10. Kim JH, Song HY, Choi EK, Kim KR, Shin JH, Lim JO. Temporary metallic stent placement in the treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures: results and factors associated with outcome in 55 patients. Eur Radiol. 2009. 19:384–390.
11. Holm AN, de la Mora Levy JG, Gostout CJ, Topazian MD, Baron TH. Self-expanding plastic stents in treatment of benign esophageal conditions. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008. 67:20–25.
12. Cho YK, Shin JH, Kim BS, Yook JH, Song HY, Kim JH, et al. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation of anastomotic strictures after total gastrectomy: long-term results. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2007. 188:647–651.
13. Jha S, Levine MS, Rubesin SE, Dumon K, Kochman ML, Laufer I, et al. Detection of strictures on upper gastrointestinal tract radiographic examinations after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: importance of projection. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006. 186:1090–1093.
14. Siersema PD. Treatment options for esophageal strictures. Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008. 5:142–152.
15. Kim JH, Shin JH, Di ZH, Ko GY, Yoon HK, Sung KB, et al. Benign duodenal strictures: treatment by means of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005. 16:543–548.
16. Vance PL, de Lange EE, Shaffer HA Jr, Schirmer B. Gastric outlet obstruction following surgery for morbid obesity: efficacy of fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation. Radiology. 2002. 222:70–72.
17. Little AG, Naunheim KS, Ferguson MK, Skinner DB. Surgical management of esophageal strictures. Ann Thorac Surg. 1988. 45:144–147.
18. Repici A, Conio M, De Angelis C, Battaglia E, Musso A, Pellicano R, et al. Temporary placement of an expandable polyester silicone-covered stent for treatment of refractory benign esophageal strictures. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004. 60:513–519.
19. Pereira-Lima JC, Ramires RP, Zamin I Jr, Cassal AP, Marroni CA, Mattos AA. Endoscopic dilation of benign esophageal strictures: report on 1043 procedures. Am J Gastroenterol. 1999. 94:1497–1501.
20. Choi GB, Shin JH, Song HY, Lee YS, Cho YK, Bae JI, et al. Fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation for patients with esophageal stricture after radiation treatment. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005. 16:1705–1710.
21. Kim JH, Song HY, Park SW, Yoon CJ, Shin JH, Yook JH, et al. Early symptomatic strictures after gastric surgery: palliation with balloon dilation and stent placement. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2008. 19:565–570.
22. Ferguson DD. Evaluation and management of benign esophageal strictures. Dis Esophagus. 2005. 18:359–364.
23. McLean GK, Cooper GS, Hartz WH, Burke DR, Meranze SG. Radiologically guided balloon dilation of gastrointestinal strictures. Part I. Technique and factors influencing procedural success. Radiology. 1987. 165:35–40.
24. Swaroop VS, Desai DC, Mohandas KM, Dhir V, Dave UR, Gulla RI, et al. Dilation of esophageal strictures induced by radiation therapy for cancer of the esophagus. Gastrointest Endosc. 1994. 40:311–315.
25. Schubert D, Scheidbach H, Kuhn R, Wex C, Weiss G, Eder F, et al. Endoscopic treatment of thoracic esophageal anastomotic leaks by using silicone-covered, self-expanding polyester stents. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005. 61:891–896.
26. Kang SG, Song HY, Lim MK, Yoon HK, Goo DE, Sung KB. Esophageal rupture during balloon dilation of strictures of benign or malignant causes: prevalence and clinical importance. Radiology. 1998. 209:741–746.
27. Siersema PD, Hirdes MM. What is the optimal duration of stent placement for refractory, benign esophageal strictures? Nat Clin Pract Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009. 6:146–147.
28. Ketchum LD, Smith J, Robinson DW, Masters FW. The treatment of hypertrophic scar, keloid and scar contracture by triamcinolone acetonide. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1966. 38:209–218.
29. Griffith BH. The treatment of keloids with triamcinolone acetonide. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1966. 38:202–208.
30. Ramage JI Jr, Rumalla A, Baron TH, Pochron NL, Zinsmeister AR, Murray JA, et al. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of endoscopic steroid injection therapy for recalcitrant esophageal peptic strictures. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005. 100:2419–2425.
31. Kochhar R, Makharia GK. Usefulness of intralesional triamcinolone in treatment of benign esophageal strictures. Gastrointest Endosc. 2002. 56:829–834.
32. Altintas E, Kacar S, Tunc B, Sezgin O, Parlak E, Altiparmak E, et al. Intralesional steroid injection in benign esophageal strictures resistant to bougie dilation. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004. 19:1388–1391.
33. Shin JH, Song HY, Ko GY, Lim JO, Yoon HK, Sung KB. Esophagorespiratory fistula: long-term results of palliative treatment with covered expandable metallic stents in 61 patients. Radiology. 2004. 232:252–259.
34. Kim JH, Song HY, Shin JH, Kim TW, Kim KR, Kim SB, et al. Palliative treatment of unresectable esophagogastric junction tumors: balloon dilation combined with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy and metallic stent placement. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2008. 19:912–917.
35. Cwikiel W, Willén R, Stridbeck H, Lillo-Gil R, von Holstein CS. Self-expanding stent in the treatment of benign esophageal strictures: experimental study in pigs and presentation of clinical cases. Radiology. 1993. 187:667–671.
36. Tan BS, Kennedy C, Morgan R, Owen W, Adam A. Using uncovered metallic endoprostheses to treat recurrent benign esophageal strictures. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1997. 169:1281–1284.
37. Evrard S, Le Moine O, Lazaraki G, Dormann A, El Nakadi I, Devière J. Self-expanding plastic stents for benign esophageal lesions. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004. 60:894–900.
38. Dua KS, Vleggaar FP, Santharam R, Siersema PD. Removable self-expanding plastic esophageal stent as a continuous, non-permanent dilator in treating refractory benign esophageal strictures: a prospective two-center study. Am J Gastroenterol. 2008. 103:2988–2994.
39. Song HY, Jung HY, Park SI, Kim SB, Lee DH, Kang SG, et al. Covered retrievable expandable nitinol stents in patients with benign esophageal strictures: initial experience. Radiology. 2000. 217:551–557.
40. Jeon SR, Eun SH, Shim CS, Ryu CB, Kim JO, Cho JY, et al. Effect of drug-eluting metal stents in benign esophageal stricture: an in vivo animal study. Endoscopy. 2009. 41:449–456.
41. Verschuur EM, Homs MY, Steyerberg EW, Haringsma J, Wahab PJ, Kuipers EJ, et al. A new esophageal stent design (Niti-S stent) for the prevention of migration: a prospective study in 42 patients. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006. 63:134–140.
42. Hordijk ML, Siersema PD, Tilanus HW, Kuipers EJ. Electrocautery therapy for refractory anastomotic strictures of the esophagus. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006. 63:157–163.
43. Schubert D, Kuhn R, Lippert H, Pross M. Endoscopic treatment of benign gastrointestinal anastomotic strictures using argon plasma coagulation in combination with diathermy. Surg Endosc. 2003. 17:1579–1582.
44. Beilstein MC, Kochman ML. Endoscopic incision of a refractory esophageal stricture: novel management with an endoscopic scissors. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005. 61:623–625.
45. Tsunada S, Ogata S, Mannen K, Arima S, Sakata Y, Shiraishi R, et al. Case series of endoscopic balloon dilation to treat a stricture caused by circumferential resection of the gastric antrum by endoscopic submucosal dissection. Gastrointest Endosc. 2008. 67:979–983.
46. Byrne TK. Complications of surgery for obesity. Surg Clin North Am. 2001. 81:1181–1193.
47. Kretzschmar CS, Hamilton JW, Wissler DW, Yale CE, Morrissey JF. Balloon dilation for the treatment of stomal stenosis complicating gastric surgery for morbid obesity. Surgery. 1987. 102:443–446.
48. Buckwalter JA, Herbst CA Jr. Perioperative complications of gastric restrictive operations. Am J Surg. 1983. 146:613–618.
49. Hewitt PM, Krige JE, Funnell IC, Wilson C, Bornman PC. Endoscopic balloon dilatation of peptic pyloroduodenal strictures. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1999. 28:33–35.
50. Kuwada SK, Alexander GL. Long-term outcome of endoscopic dilation of nonmalignant pyloric stenosis. Gastrointest Endosc. 1995. 41:15–17.
51. Lau JY, Chung SC, Sung JJ, Chan AC, Ng EK, Suen RC, et al. Through-the-scope balloon dilation for pyloric stenosis: long-term results. Gastrointest Endosc. 1996. 43:98–101.
52. Solt J, Bajor J, Szabó M, Horváth OP. Long-term results of balloon catheter dilation for benign gastric outlet stenosis. Endoscopy. 2003. 35:490–495.
53. Kochhar R, Sethy PK, Nagi B, Wig JD. Endoscopic balloon dilatation of benign gastric outlet obstruction. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2004. 19:418–422.
54. Lam YH, Lau JY, Fung TM, Ng EK, Wong SK, Sung JJ, et al. Endoscopic balloon dilation for benign gastric outlet obstruction with or without Helicobacter pylori infection. Gastrointest Endosc. 2004. 60:229–233.
55. Ahmad J, Martin J, Ikramuddin S, Schauer P, Slivka A. Endoscopic balloon dilation of gastroenteric anastomotic stricture after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Endoscopy. 2003. 35:725–728.
56. Sataloff DM, Lieber CP, Seinige UL. Strictures following gastric stapling for morbid obesity. Results of endoscopic dilatation. Am Surg. 1990. 56:167–174.
57. Kim JH, Shin JH, Bae JI, Di ZH, Lim JO, Kim TH, et al. Gastric outlet obstruction caused by benign anastomotic stricture: treatment by fluoroscopically guided balloon dilation. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2005. 16:699–704.
58. de Lange EE, Shaffer HA Jr. Anastomotic strictures of the upper gastrointestinal tract: results of balloon dilation. Radiology. 1988. 167:45–50.
59. DiSario JA, Fennerty MB, Tietze CC, Hutson WR, Burt RW. Endoscopic balloon dilation for ulcer-induced gastric outlet obstruction. Am J Gastroenterol. 1994. 89:868–871.
60. McMahon MJ, Greenall MJ, Johnston D, Goligher JC. Highly selective vagotomy plus dilatation of the stenosis compared with truncal vagotomy and drainage in the treatment of pyloric stenosis secondary to duodenal ulceration. Gut. 1976. 17:471–476.
61. Johnston D, Lyndon PJ, Smith RB, Humphrey CS. Highly selective vagotomy without a drainage procedure in the treatment of haemorrhage, perforation, and pyloric stenosis due to peptic ulcer. Br J Surg. 1973. 60:790–797.
62. Delaney P. Preoperative grading of pyloric stenosis: a long term clinical and radiological follow-up of patients with severe pyloric stenosis treated by highly selective vagotomy and dilatation of the stricture. Br J Surg. 1978. 65:157–160.
63. Perng CL, Lin HJ, Lo WC, Lai CR, Guo WS, Lee SD. Characteristics of patients with benign gastric outlet obstruction requiring surgery after endoscopic balloon dilation. Am J Gastroenterol. 1996. 91:987–990.
64. Holt PD, de Lange EE, Shaffer HA Jr. Strictures after gastric surgery: treatment with fluoroscopically guided balloon dilatation. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1995. 164:895–899.
65. Kim JH, Song HY, Shin JH, Choi E, Kim TW, Jung HY, et al. Metallic stent placement in the palliative treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions: prospective evaluation of results and factors influencing outcome in 213 patients. Gastrointest Endosc. 2007. 66:256–264.
66. Kim JH, Song HY, Shin JH, Hu HT, Lee SK, Jung HY, et al. Metallic stent placement in the palliative treatment of malignant gastric outlet obstructions: primary gastric carcinoma versus pancreatic carcinoma. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009. 193:241–247.
67. Bae JI, Shin JH, Song HY, Lee GH. Treatment of a benign anastomotic duodenojejunal stricture with a polytetrafluoroethylene-covered retrievable expandable nitinol stent. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2004. 15:769–772.
68. Boron B, Gross KR. Successful dilatation of pyloric stricture resistant to balloon dilatation with electrocautery using a sphincterotome. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1996. 23:239–241.
69. Hagiwara A, Sonoyama Y, Togawa T, Yamasaki J, Sakakura C, Yamagishi H. Combined use of electrosurgical incisions and balloon dilatation for the treatment of refractory postoperative pyloric stenosis. Gastrointest Endosc. 2001. 53:504–508.
70. Kochhar R, Sriram PV, Ray JD, Kumar S, Nagi B, Singh K. Intralesional steroid injections for corrosive induced pyloric stenosis. Endoscopy. 1998. 30:734–746.
Full Text Links
  • KJR
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr