These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Fatal Hemorrhage following perforation of the aorta by a barb of the Gianturco-Rösch esophageal stent.
    Author: Dirks K, Schulz T, Schellmann B, Stolte M, Lutz H.
    Journal: Z Gastroenterol; 2002 Feb; 40(2):81-4. PubMed ID: 11857103.
    Abstract:
    Self-expanding metal stents are an established option in the palliative treatment of malignant stenoses of the esophagus. Herein, we report on a 60-year-old man with a recurrent stenosis that developed 2 months after radiochemotherapy for a squamous cell carcinoma in the middle part of the esophagus. To relieve progressive dysphagia, a Gianturco-Rösch stent (Cook-Z stent, 10 cm, PE-covered, manufactured by William Cook Europe) was implanted. Six weeks later, precipitous massive hemoptysis leading to the collapse and death of the patient occurred. Autopsy showed that a barb in the middle of the stent had perforated the aortic arch, resulting in massive bleeding into the gastrointestinal tract, and aspiration. Although hemorrhage and esophageal perforation are known late complications of all types of metal stents, our case is the first description of a perforation involving a fixation barb. These barbs are a particular feature of the European version of the Cook-Z stent, and are intended to prevent stent migration. In future, any hemorrhage observed after stent implantation should prompt a search for perforation by a barb (autopsy!). If necessary, the European version of the Gianturco Z stent should be modified.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]