Radiological balloon dilatation of post-treatment benign pharyngeal strictures

• Published in: Journal of laryngology and otology Vol. 123; no. 11; pp. 1229 - 1232
• Main Authors: Williams, L R, Kasir, D, Penny, S, Homer, J J, Laasch, H-U
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Balloon Dilatation; Biological and medical sciences; Catheterization - adverse effects; Catheterization - methods; Constriction, Pathologic - therapy; Deglutition Disorders - etiology; Deglutition Disorders - therapy; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - complications; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Pharyngeal Diseases - etiology; Pharyngeal Diseases - therapy; Pharynx; Postoperative Complications - therapy; Radiography, Interventional - methods; Recurrence; Reoperation - statistics & numerical data; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Pharynx; Balloon Dilatation; Stenosis; ENT; Treatment; Dilatation
• ISSN: 0022-2151; 1748-5460
• DOI: 10.1017/S0022215109990508

To assess the technical success, clinical outcomes and complications of radiologically guided balloon dilatation of benign strictures developing after treatment for head and neck cancer. Forty-six balloon dilatations were performed in 20 patients. All dilatations were performed over a guidewire. Technical success was 100 per cent. Fifteen of the 20 patients demonstrated clinical improvement in dysphagia scores. Improvement in dysphagia was temporary in all patients (median 102 days), with multiple dilatations usually required (total dilatations ranged from one to seven). Immediate complications were encountered in six of the 46 (13 per cent) dilatations and were all minor. Late complications occurred after two procedures (4 per cent): localised perforation (later complicated by secondary infection) and recurrence of a previous, small, pharyngo-cutaneous fistula. Radiologically guided balloon dilatation is straightforward to perform and is well tolerated, but there is a small risk of perforation. Relief of symptoms is likely to be temporary, requiring multiple subsequent dilatations. A minority of patients will obtain no symptomatic relief.