A Combined Antegrade–Retrograde Approach to Esophageal Dilation

When an otolaryngologist and a gastroenterologist rendezvous, patients with radiation-induced strictures have a strong chance at achieving dilation.

Patients with esophageal strictures are routinely managed with esophageal dilation. However, standard endoscopic management is not always feasible, particularly if antegrade placement of a guidewire through the stricture is impossible. For example, patients who have received radiation for head and neck cancers can experience complete luminal obstruction of the proximal esophagus and, therefore, be unable to tolerate oral intake or even secretions. Investigators now report data from a retrospective case series on a combined antegrade and retrograde “rendezvous” approach to dilating radiation-induced esophageal strictures.

The researchers identified 12 patients with radiation-related strictures and total esophageal obstruction that could not b…

Reviewing Author

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors

David A. Johnson, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory boardMedscape/WebMD; Pfizer; CRH Medical Corporation; Aries

EquityCRH Medical Corporation

Editorial boardsMedscape Gastroenterology

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Gastroenterology Research Institute Board of Directors