Transient small-bowel obstruction secondary to the olive tip released during esophageal self-expandable metal stent placement

An unusual complication of oesophageal stent deployment

Insertion of a self-expanding metal stent is commonly used to palliate dysphagia secondary to oesophageal carcinoma. Displacement of the stent itself is a recognized complication which can result in perforation of the upper gastrointestinal tract. We report the first case of bowel obstruction and perforation resulting from the olive of the deployment system. This was probably due to peritoneal deposits on the small intestine obstructing passage of the olive.