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Fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation for treating congenital esophageal stenosis in children
Hong-Tao Hu1, Ji Hoon Shin, Jin-Hyoung Kim
1Department of Radiology, Henan Cancer Hospital/The Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 127 Dongming Road, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
Insights
Fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation is a safe and effective primary treatment for congenital esophageal stenosis in children. While esophageal ruptures can occur, they are manageable and not fatal.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Interventional Endoscopy
- Congenital Anomalies
Background:
- Congenital esophageal stenosis presents a significant challenge in pediatric care.
- Effective and minimally invasive treatment options are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation for treating congenital esophageal stenosis in pediatric patients.
- To evaluate technical success, clinical success, recurrence rates, and complications associated with this procedure.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective evaluation of seven children (mean age 4.0 years) undergoing ten balloon dilatation sessions.
- Initial balloon diameters ranged from 10-15 mm.
- Assessment included technical and clinical success, dysphagia recurrence, and complications.
Main Results:
- 100% technical and clinical success rates were achieved.
- During a mean 38-month follow-up, 43% of patients required an additional dilatation for recurrence, with most showing improvement.
- Two patients (29%) experienced type 2 esophageal rupture, successfully managed conservatively.
Conclusions:
- Fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation is a simple, effective primary treatment for pediatric congenital esophageal stenosis.
- Esophageal rupture is a potential complication but is generally not fatal and can be managed conservatively.
Purpose:
We aimed to evaluate the safety and clinical effectiveness of fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation for treating congenital esophageal stenosis in children.
Methods:
Our study included seven children (mean age 4.0 years) who underwent a total of ten balloon dilatation sessions. The initial balloon diameters were 10-15 mm. The technical success, clinical success (improved food intake and reduced dysphagia within 1 month following the first balloon dilatation), dysphagia recurrence, and complications were retrospectively evaluated.
Results:
Technical and clinical success rates were 100 %. During the mean 38-month follow-up period after the first balloon dilatation, 3 (43 %) patients underwent only one additional balloon dilatation 4-5 months after the first balloon dilatation for dysphagia recurrence. Two of them showed improvement without further recurrence, while the remaining one underwent partial esophagectomy. Well-contained transmural esophageal rupture (type 2) occurred in two (29 %, 2/7) patients and during two (20 %, 2/10) balloon dilatation sessions. All ruptures were successfully treated conservatively.
Conclusions:
Our study showed that fluoroscopically guided large balloon dilatation seems to be a simple and effective primary treatment technique for congenital esophageal stenosis in children. Esophageal ruptures were not uncommon although they were not fatal.
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