Radiology, Vol 153, 637-640, Copyright © 1984 by Radiological Society of North America
Esophageal stenosis: treatment with balloon catheters
E Starck, V Paolucci, M Herzer and AB Crummy
We have performed 84 balloon dilatations in 40 patients who had esophageal
strictures. Of these patients, 31 who had benign diseases improved, and the
procedure proved to be safe, reliable, and easy to perform; in 77% of these
patients, only one or two dilatations were necessary. In 10 patients who
had previously undergone treatment with bougienage, the symptom-free
interval of 9.3 months following balloon dilatation is four times longer
than that experienced following bougienage. In patients who have malignant
disease, though the symptom- free intervals are short, the procedure can be
repeated easily and is accepted well by patients so that palliation can be
achieved. Since only readily controlled transverse forces act in the
balloon therapy, rupture is virtually eliminated, while the use of a
flexible angiographic guidewire to traverse the strictures practically
excludes perforation. Balloon dilatation offers distinct advantages
compared with bougienage for the treatment of esophageal strictures.
