Early recurrence of obstructive jaundice after placement of a self-expanding metal endoprosthesis

Self-expanding metal endoprostheses have ben used in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice for a few years. We report on a patient with obstructive jaundice due to a metastasis of a squamous cell lung cancer into the pancreatic head who received an expandable metal endoprosthesis and suffered recurrent jaundice and cholangitis after 38 days. On repeat ERCP, a very narrow stenosis was seen in the stent lumen caused by tumor ingrowth through the mesh. Intraluminal biopsies showed squamous cell carcinoma. A 10 Fr plastic endoprosthesis was inserted through the self-expanding stent with good drainage. On the basis of this experience, we feel that when faced with a patient with obstructive jaundice due to metastatic disease from a rapidly progressive carcinoma, the use of the currently available self-expanding metal endoprosthesis should be discouraged until the results of prospective studies with large numbers of patients have proven its superiority over the plastic endoprostheses. Meanwhile, modifications to prevent tumor ingrowth through the mesh of the stent are under investigation.