Safety and outcome using endoscopic dilatation for benign esophageal stricture without fluoroscopy

Evidence-based treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis: insights for the clinician

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by symptoms of esophageal dysfunction and eosinophil-predominant inflammation. Left untreated, EoE progresses to fibrous remodeling and stricture formation that impairs quality of life. Therefore, EoE requires either repeated treatments or maintenance therapy. Current guidelines recommend swallowed topical corticosteroids (STCs), proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), or dietary intervention as initial options to induce and maintain long-term disease remission. Impractical exclusive elemental diets and suboptimal allergy testing-directed food avoidance paved the way for empirical elimination diets. These are moderately effective and highly reproducible in inducing EoE remission and allow for identification of specific food triggers. Step-up strategies, including two- and four-food rather than six-food elimination diets, should be considered as initial approaches for dietary treatment in patients of all ages, as they reduce the need for endoscopic procedures, shorten diagnostic processing time, and avoid unnecessary restrictions. Formulations of STC originally designed for asthma therapy are suboptimal for EoE treatment, with new effervescent orodispersible tablets and viscose formulations designed to coat the esophageal mucosa providing increased effectiveness at reduced doses. The anti-inflammatory effects of PPI in EoE are independent from gastric acid secretion inhibition; despite evidence from observational research, PPIs are the most commonly prescribed first-line therapy for EoE due to their accessibility, low cost, and safety profile. Double doses of PPI only induce remission in half of EoE patients, irrespective of the drug used or patients' age. Inflammatory rather than stricturing EoE phenotype and treatment duration up to 12 weeks increase chances of achieving EoE remission. Most responders effectively maintain long-term remission with standard PPI doses. Finally, endoscopic dilation should be considered in patients with reduced esophageal caliber or persistent dysphagia despite histological remission. This article provides a state-of-the-art review and updated discussion of current therapies and newly developed options for EoE.

Efficacy and Safety of Endoscopic Esophageal Dilatation in Pediatric Patients with Esophageal Strictures

Materials and Methods

In this retrospective cross-sectional single center study, records of patients with esophageal strictures presented to the pediatric department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, in the period between 1995 and 2019 were reviewed. Demographic data, indications of endoscopic dilatations, the procedure success rate, and possible complications were assessed.

Results

Forty-six children were found to have esophageal strictures. Twenty-five (54.3%) patients were males. Most patients presented during infancy (86.5%, 32/37 patients). Twenty-six (56.5%) patients required 88 dilatation sessions, while the remaining 20 (43.5%) patients did not require dilatations. The median number of dilatation sessions per patient was three (interquartile range = 2-5). Savary-Gilliard bougienages were the main dilators used (80.8%, 21/26 patients). Anastomotic stricture (post esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula repair) was the main cause of esophageal strictures and was found in 35 (76.1%) patients. Patients with nonanastomotic strictures had more frequent dilatations compared to those with anastomotic strictures (P = 0.007). The procedure success rate was 98.8%. Yet, it was operator dependent (P = 0.047). Complete response to dilatation was found in 18 (69.2%) patients, satisfactory in seven (26.9%), and an inadequate response in one (3.9%). Those with satisfactory responses still require ongoing dilatations based on their symptoms and radiological and endoscopic findings. No perforation or mortality was reported. Patients with dilatations had more recurrent hospitalization (P < 0.0001), more dysphagia (P = 0.001), but shorter hospital stay (P = 0.046) compared to those without dilatations. Surgical intervention was required in one patient with caustic strictures. The median follow-up period was six years (interquartile range = 2.25-9.0).

Conclusions

Endoscopic esophageal dilatation in children with esophageal strictures is effective and safe. Yet, it was operator dependent. Nonanastomotic strictures require more dilatations compared to anastomotic strictures. Findings of this study are comparable to those reported worldwide.

Risk factors of refractory post-endoscopic submucosal dissection esophageal strictures

INTRODUCTION

To comparatively assess the treatment outcomes of endoscopic dilatation in Barrett's neoplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) post- endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) strictures and to determine the risk or factors associated to refractory strictures Methods: Observational study. All consecutive patients presenting with a post-ESD stricture in 2007-2016 who underwent dilation therapy were included. Clinical, morphological and technical features were assessed to determine the risk factors of refractory strictures.

RESULTS

Of 414 consecutive patients treated by ESD, 83 (mean age: 65±10 years, 76% men) with 254 dilations (median: 3, range: 1-27) were considered. Barrett's neoplasia and SCC were the indications in 58 (69.9%) in 25 (30.1%) cases. Clinical success was achieved in 84.3% with a median of 3 sessions (range: 1-22). Circumferential resection in one-single procedure (13.2%) was associated to the need for a higher number of dilation sessions. By multivariable analysis, upper-esophageal location (OR: 11.479 [95%CI: 2.058-64.043], p=0.005), recurrent strictures (OR: 17.252 [95%CI: 2.833-105.069], p=0.002), and dilation-related complications (OR: 26.420 [95%CI: 1.736-401.966], p=0.018) were risk factors of refractory stenosis.

CONCLUSION

Preventive strategies, concomitant treatment, and careful dilatation protocols should be considered and undertaken in patients presenting with SCC located in the upper superior esophagus, intra-procedural perforation, and recurrent strictures.

Factors affecting the outcome of endoscopic dilatation in refractory post-corrosive oesophageal stricture in Egyptian children: a single-centre study

BACKGROUND

An important complication of corrosive ingestion is oesophageal stricture. Improvements in endoscopes and accessories have supported an increase in the number of patients who are conservatively treated with endoscopic dilations. In this study, we aimed to detect factors affecting the outcome of endoscopic dilatation for refractory post-corrosive oesophageal stricture.

METHODS

This study was carried out in the Paediatric Endoscopy Unit in the Children's Hospital and included 100 children older than 2 years of age of both sexes who had an established diagnosis of post-corrosive oesophageal stricture on repeated endoscopic dilatation sessions. The duration of the condition was more than 6 months, and dilatation failed to achieve a diameter of 14 mm during the first five sessions at 2-week intervals (refractory), excluding other causes of oesophageal stricture.

RESULTS

Males represented 63% of patients. The mean age of enrolled children was 5.9 ± 2.6 years; 90% of patients ingested an alkaline corrosive substance (potash). The total number of dilatation sessions ranged from 16 to 100, with a mean number of sessions ranging from 37.2 ± 14.9. Fifty-four patients (54%) were well controlled by regular endoscopic dilatation with good clinical and endoscopic outcomes, and no more dilatations were needed.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic dilation is an effective method for managing refractory post-corrosive oesophageal strictures that require a long follow-up period. There are a lot of factors affecting the outcome.

TREATING SIMPLE BENIGN ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURES WITH SAVARY-GILLIARD DILATORS: IS THE RULE OF THREE STILL NECESSARY?

BACKGROUND

Bougies dilation is considered an effective technique for the treatment of simple benign esophageal strictures. The "rule of three" has been advocated to prevent reported adverse events such as bleeding and perforation. However, adherence to this rule has increased the cost and duration of treatment.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate the safety and long-term benefits of progressive bougie dilations until reaching 15 mm (45Fr) in one single session endoscopy with non-adherence to the rule of three.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected data of patients with simple benign esophageal strictures treated with multiple progressive bougie dilators until reaching 15 mm (45Fr) in one single session.

RESULTS

The median age was 58 years (range 28-89), and 83.3% of patients were female. The main presenting symptom was dysphagia for solids in 11/12 cases (91.6%). The cause of their simple benign esophageal stricture was distributed as follows: 7/12 esophageal webs, 2/12 peptic stenosis, 2/12 Schatzki rings and one caustic injury. 75% required only one session for clinical success. No serious adverse events were described. No recurrence of symptoms was noted in a median follow-up of 20 months.

CONCLUSION

The rule of three in patients with simple benign esophageal strictures secondary to esophageal webs, Schatzki rings and peptic strictures treated with Savary-Gilliard dilators is not necessary, showing good clinical results. Prospective studies with more patients are necessary.

Biodegradable Stents in Resistant Peptic Oesophageal Stricture: Is It the Right Way to Go?

Peptic oesophageal stricture can be considered as the end result of prolonged gastro-oesophageal reflux. The 'gold standard' treatment for peptic stricture is endoscopic dilatation with balloon or bougie. It is predicted that up to 40% of patients remain symptomatic with dysphagia due to refractory (resistant to treatment) or recurrent strictures, needing frequent interventions at short intervals. Such patients have poor nutritional status due to the primary disease and are susceptible to complications related to repeated endoscopic dilatation such as bleeding and perforation. This general review aims to analyse existing published evidence and address the role of biodegradable stents in resistant peptic strictures as an alternative treatment to provide long-term dysphagia-free intervals.