Benign Strictures Research Articles

Benign Esophageal Stricture

Benign esophageal strictures, characterized by fibrotic narrowing of the esophageal lumen, are frequently encountered in clinical practice. Benign esophageal strictures are associated with a multifactorial etiology and may occur across various age and population groups. Common causes of benign esophageal strictures include gastroesophageal reflux disease (peptic stricture), esophageal injury secondary to surgery (anastomotic strictures), radiotherapy, caustic agent ingestion, or endoscopic resection. Benign esophageal strictures are categorized into simple and complex types based on their size, area involved, surface features, extent of luminal narrowing, and margins. Esophageal strictures often present clinically with dysphagia and may lead to severe complications. Regardless of the underlying cause, therapy is aimed at relief of dysphagia and prevention of stricture recurrence. Benign esophageal strictures are commonly treated using endoscopic balloon or bougie dilation, followed by disease-specific approaches to treat underlying inflammation. However, based on the underlying cause, the risk of recurrence of benign esophageal strictures is 10~30%. Therapeutic options for refractory or recurrent esophageal strictures include endoscopic incisional therapy, esophageal stent placement, or intralesional injection of steroids or mitomycin C. The pathophysiology of esophageal strictures is complicated, and thorough understanding and patient cooperation are important for optimal management. Physicians should familiarize themselves with the various dilation strategies available and their application for management of specific types of stenotic lesions. In this article, we review the evaluation and management of patients with esophageal strictures.

Management of difficult bile duct stones with temporary plastic stent and ursodeoxycholic acid treatment: 5 years of experience

Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of temporary plastic stenting and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) treatment on difficult choledochal stones that cannot be removed by basic ERCP techniques in patients who applied to our clinic with occlusion and underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).
 Material and Method: Patients were scanned retrospectively using the hospital database. Patients who underwent ERCP due to malignancy, biliary tract injury and benign strictures were excluded from the study. 61 patients who were not successful with basic ERCP techniques such as endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and mechanical lithotripsy (ML) were included in the study. 750 mg/day UDCA was given to the patients for three months and plastic stent was applied. After the treatment, ERCP was tried again.
 Results: Among the patients who underwent stent+UDCA, three (4.9%) patients had perioperative bleeding, one (1.6%) patient had peroperative perforation, four (6.6%) patients had postoperative pancreatitis, and one (1.6%) patient had mortality. The mean hospital stay was 1.96±2.1 days. Post-procedure total bilirubin and direct bilirubin values were observed to be lower than before the procedure (respectively, p

Optimal reproduction of a porcine benign biliary stricture model using endobiliary radiofrequency ablation

The use of endobiliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) to generate a benign biliary stricture (BBS) model has a significant reproducibility problem. The aims of this animal study were to create an optimal BBS model using endobiliary RFA and determine the best way to develop it. The first step was performed on the common bile duct (CBD) of 10 miniature pigs using endoscopic RFA with a target temperature-controlled mode (80 ℃, 7 W for 90 s). The second step was performed on the CBD of five miniature pigs to understand more about the time-dependent changes in BBS development and the causes of adverse events. Using the conditions and techniques identified in the previous steps, the third step was conducted to create an optimal BBS model in 12 miniature pigs. In the first trial, four out of 10 animals died (40%) after the procedure due to cholangitis-induced sepsis. Based on this, biliary obstruction was prevented in further steps by placing a biliary plastic stent after RFA application. Histologic examinations over time showed that a severe abscess developed at the RFA application site on the fifth day, followed by fibrosis on the tenth day, and completion on the twentieth day. In the third trial, 11 animals survived (91.7%), the average BBS fibrotic wall thickness was 1107.9 µm (763.1–1864.6 µm), and the degree of upstream biliary dilation was 14.4 mm (11.05–20.7 mm). In conclusion, endobiliary RFA combined with a biliary plastic stent resulted in a safe and reproducible BBS animal model.

Patterns of post endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) complications- experience from an university hospital

In the treatment of common bile duct stones and palliative decompression of malignant strictures, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the gold standard. However, there are still concerns about procedure-related complications and patient discom- fort. To evaluate the pattern of the post ERCP complications. This prospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Gastroenterology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka from February 2017 to October 2017. A total of one hundred patients who were eligible for ERCP were included in this study but five patients were excluded due to cannulation failure. Clinical examination , biochemical, and radiological investigation were performed before and after ERCP to assess the complication that occurred. The majority of patients in this study were under the age of 50, with a mean age of 49.74 }14.07 years between the ages of 18 and 80 years. Males (54.7%) were predominant than female (45.3%) and male to female ratio was 1.21:1. The most common diagnosis was choledocholithiasis (58.9%) followed by proximal cholangiocarcinoma (13.7%), Carcinoma-gallbladder with biliary infiltration (8.4%), Distal cholangiocarcinoma (6.3%), Chronic calcific pancreatitis and Periampullary carcinoma each (3.2%), Suspected SOD & Chronic pancreatitis each (2.1%) and Worm in CBD and benign biliary stricture each (1.1%). In this study, the overall post-ERCP complication rate was 12.6% with pancreatitis accounting for 9.4%, bleeding accounting for 2.1%, and cholangitis accounting for 2.1%. From the study data it can be concluded that pancreatitis is the most frequent Post-ERCP complication. BSMMU J 2022; 15(1): 50-53

Current endoscopic approaches to biliary strictures.

To summarize the current status and future perspectives of the endoscopic management of biliary strictures. In addition to conventional diagnostic modalities, such as cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), per-oral cholangioscopy is helpful for indeterminate biliary strictures. It allows direct visualization of the biliary tract and targeted biopsy. For distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO), a self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a standard of care. EUS-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) is an emerging alternative to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in cases with failed ERCP. EUS-BD is also an effective salvage option for perihilar MBO, which can not be managed via ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Preoperative drainage is necessary for most jaundiced patients as neoadjuvant chemotherapy is widely administered for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer, and a SEMS is preferred in this setting, too. For benign biliary strictures, a covered SEMS can improve stricture resolution and reduce the number of endoscopic sessions as compared to plastic stents. ERCP and EUS play a central role in the diagnosis and drainage for both malignant and benign biliary strictures.

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis: a retrospective cohort study

Background/Aims: Differential diagnosis of extrahepatic cholestasis can be challenging due to variable sensitivity and specificity rates of imaging techniques. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is a non-invasive method used for evaluation of biliary tree. We aimed to investigate diagnostic accuracy of MRCP in biliary obstruction. 
 Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients admitted with extrahepatic cholestasis between January 2012 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) following MRCP were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients were noted. Final diagnosis of ERCP was accepted as gold standard. Diagnostic efficiency of MRCP was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, negative and positive predictive values as compared with ERCP.
 Results: There were 615 patients with a mean age of 60.1±17.5 years. Using MRCP, choledocholithiasis, malignant and benign strictures were diagnosed in 337 (54.8%), 101 (16.4%), and 39 patients (6.3%), respectively. Normal MRCP findings were present in 65 patients (10.6%). Final diagnoses via ERCP were as follows: choledocholithiasis (n=390, 63.4%), malignant stricture (n=152, 24.7%), benign stricture (n=62, 10.1%), and normal findings (n=11, 1.8%). Sensitivity and specificity of MRCP were 70.8% and 72.9% for choledocholithiasis, 55.9% and 96.5% for malign stricture, and 16.1% and 94.8% for benign stricture, respectively. Overall accuracy rates were 71.5%, 86.5%, and 86.8% for choledocholithiasis, malign and benign strictures, respectively.
 Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy of MRCP is variable for different biliary/cholestatic etiologies. Due to a lower sensitivity for choledocholithiasis, normal MRCP findings should be handled with caution, especially when there is a clinical suspicion for biliary obstruction. 
 Keywords: extrahepatic cholestasis, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, sensitivity, specificity.

Main Pathological Changes of Benign Ureteral Strictures.

ObjectiveTo identify the pathological classification of benign ureteral strictures according to the histological features and explore the relationship between various pathological types and inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, and collagen.Patients and MethodsThirty one specimens from patients diagnosed with ureteral strictures between 2013 and 2021 were included and classified according to the histopathological characteristics. The number of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells was counted, and the proportion of type I and type III collagen in ureteral stricture tissues was detected by picrosirius red staining.ResultsWe identified three types of benign ureteral strictures in 31 specimens: inflammatory cell infiltration (n = 10, 32%), fibroplasia (n = 14, 45%), and hyalinization (n = 7, 23%), with significant differences in obstruction history and hydronephrosis grades among the three types. The number of inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, neutrophils and eosinophils) was significantly lower in hyalinization ureteral strictures than in the other two types (p < 0.05). The number of foreign-body giant cells associated with foreign-body reactions increased significantly in suture-induced ureteral strictures (p < 0.05). Fibroplasia type had the largest number of fibroblasts, whereas the other two types had smaller numbers. The results of type I and III collagen analysis showed that type I and III collagen were the most abundant in hyalinization among all ureteral stricture types (p < 0.05). Compared to ureteral strictures, the content of type I and III collagen in atresia increased significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionCommon pathological types of benign ureteral strictures include inflammatory cell infiltration, fibroplasia, and hyalinization. Changes in type I and III collagen, inflammatory cells, and fibroblasts in different pathological types may be related to the progression of ureteral strictures.

Management of hydronephrosis after radical cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer: A single tertiary center experience.

To clarify the incidence of postoperative hydronephrosis and verify the validity of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for hydronephrosis after cystectomy and urinary diversion for bladder cancer. Totally, 290 patients receiving urinary diversion from 2005 through 2017 with complete data were enrolled, including 258 (89.0%) with an ileal conduit and 32 (11.0%) with an ileal neobladder. Postoperative radiographic images were reviewed. In patients with postoperative hydronephrosis, antegrade pyelography and ureteroscopy were performed to exclude malignant etiology. Balloon dilation and open surgical revision were performed according to the conditions. Forty-six patients (58 renal units) developed postoperative hydronephrosis. The cumulative incidence was 11.4% by a median follow-up of 59.5 months. Ureteral recurrence was detected by antegrade examinations in two patients, whereas malignant strictures were subsequently revealed in three patients. Thus, malignant etiology was found in hydronephrosis in five renal units (12.8%) of five patients (16.1%). The median times to diagnosis of hydronephrosis were 0 (interquartile range [IQR] 0-4) and 14 months (IQR 9-12) for benign and malignant strictures, respectively (p = 0.003). Of them, 31 patients (39 renal units) received interventions. Balloon dilation was performed in 13 renal units with benign strictures, and was successful in two (15.4%). Open surgical revision was performed in eight patients (11 renal units), including two with failed balloon dilation, all of which was successful. Postoperative hydronephrosis is potentially associated with recurrent disease. Accurate differential diagnosis is challenging although antegrade procedures may be helpful in some cases. Open surgical revision is highly effective to treat benign strictures.

Construction and Comprehensive Analysis of the ceRNA Network to Reveal Key Genes for Benign Tracheal Stenosis.

Objective: To explore the possible biological functions of the differentially expressed genes in patients with benign tracheal stenosis, and to provide a valuable molecular basis for investigating the pathogenesis of benign tracheal stenosis. Method: Whole transcriptome sequencing was performed on blood samples collected from patients with benign tracheal stenosis and normal controls. Differentially expressed mRNA, lncRNA, and circRNA were analyzed using the DESeq2 package. The protein interaction networks for differentially expressed mRNAs were constructed by STRING. The results of gene co-expression network analysis, Starbase database prediction, and differential gene expression were combined to construct a competing endogenous RNA network. The transcription factors of key genes were predicted using the Network Analyst database and a transcription factor-mRNA regulatory network was constructed. The classical pathways, intermolecular interaction networks, and upstream regulatory components of key genes were analyzed using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Finally, the DGIDB database was used to predict the potential therapeutic drugs to target the identified key genes. Result: Based on mRNA, lncRNA and circRNA expression data, we found that differentially expressed mRNAs were enriched in oxygen transport, neutrophil activation, immune response, and oxygen binding. Then the pearson correlation between mRNAs of 46 key genes and lncRNAs and cricRNAs were calculated, and the correlation greater than 0.9 were selected to construct the co-expression network of “mRNA-lncRA” and “mRNA-cricRNA.” Moreover, a “lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA” network and a “circRNA-miRNA-mRNA” network were constructed. IPA analysis showed that the 46 key genes were significantly associated with inflammatory activation and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The constructed TF-mRNA regulatory network was composed of 274 nodes and 573 interacting pairs. 251 potential therapeutic drugs were identified from the DGIDB database. Conclusion: This study analyzed the differential genes associated with benign tracheal stenosis and explored the potential regulatory mechanisms, providing a scientific reference for further studies on the pathogenesis of benign tracheal stenosis.

Assessment of main pancreatic duct cutoff with dilatation, but without visible pancreatic focal lesion on MDCT: a novel diagnostic approach for malignant stricture using a CT-based nomogram.

To identify useful features to predict hidden pancreatic malignancies in patients with main pancreatic duct (MPD) abrupt cutoff and dilatation, but without visible focal pancreatic lesions on CT. This retrospective study included 92 patients (mean age, 63.4 ± 10.6 years, 63 men and 29 women) with MPD abrupt cutoff and dilatation, but without visible focal pancreatic lesion on contrast-enhanced CT between 2009 and 2021. Two radiologists independently evaluated the CT imaging features. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical and CT imaging features for hidden pancreatic malignancies. A nomogram was developed based on these results and assessed its performance. Thirty-eight (41.3%) and 54 (58.7%) were classified into the malignant and benign groups, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, CA19-9 elevation (odds ratio [OR] 7.5, p = 0.003), duct cutoff site at the head/neck (OR 7.6, p = 0.006), parenchymal contour abnormality at the duct cutoff site (OR 13.7, p < 0.001), and presence of acute pancreatitis (OR 11.5, p = 0.005) were independent predictors of pancreatic malignancy. A combination of any two significant features showed an accuracy of 77.2%, and a combination of any three features exhibited a specificity of 100%. The CT-based nomogram showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.90). The three CT imaging features and CA19-9 elevation translated into a nomogram permit a reliable estimation of hidden pancreatic malignancies in patients with MPD abrupt cutoff without visible focal pancreatic lesion. It may facilitate determining whether to proceed to further diagnostic tests. • Isoattenuating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma can manifest only as an isolated main pancreatic duct (MPD) dilatation with abrupt cutoff, making it difficult to distinguish from benign strictures. • Along with the serum CA 19-9 elevation, MPD cutoff site at the pancreas head or neck, parenchymal contour abnormality at the duct cutoff site, and associated acute pancreatitis indicated a higher probability of the malignant MPD strictures. • The CT-based nomogram provided excellent diagnostic performance (AUC of 0.84) for hidden pancreatic malignancies in patients with MPD abrupt cutoff and dilatation.

Inversion technique under fluoroscopy for removal of self-expanding nitinol esophageal stent after long-term placement: review of 107 consecutive cases.

Removal of self-expanding esophageal metal stents that have been implanted for a long time can be difficult and risky. In this paper, we describe the use of the "inversion technique" under fluoroscopy for removal of self-expandable nitinol esophageal stents that have been placed for long periods and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the method. Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent removal of self-expanding nitinol esophageal stents by the inversion technique under fluoroscopy at our center. Demographic characteristics, type of esophageal stents, stent retention time, reasons for stent removal, and related complications were collected from the case records and analyzed. A total of 112 metal esophageal stents (62 fully covered esophageal stents and 50 partially covered esophageal stents) were extracted from the 107 patients included in the study. Indications for stent implantation were malignant esophageal stenosis (27 patients), benign esophageal stenosis (42 patients), and esophageal fistula (38 patients). Median duration of stent retention was 77days (29-727days). All stents were removed successfully without major complications such as esophageal rupture, massive hemorrhage, asphyxia, or cardiorespiratory arrest. Inversion technique under fluoroscopy appears to be a safe, effective, and quick procedure for removal of self-expanding nitinol esophageal stent after long-term placement.

Long-term postoperative outcomes of Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy in patients with benign biliary stricture

BackgroundAlthough there are common postoperative complications, Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy is still broadly used as a standard surgical procedure for patients with biliary stricture. This study aimed to explore long-term risk factors of cholangiojejunostomy in patients with biliary stricture who underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy.MethodsClinical data of 61 patients with biliary stricture undergoing revisional cholangiojejunostomy were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were classified into two groups (patients with traumatic biliary stricture and non-traumatic biliary stricture). Postoperative complications and survival time were successfully followed up.ResultsAmong the patients, 34 underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy due to traumatic biliary stricture, and 27 underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy due to non-traumatic biliary surgery. Although there was no statistical difference in most clinical data between two groups, biliary dilation or not during the first surgery, cholelithiasis or not during the first surgery, long-term complications after first surgery, cholelithiasis or not during the second surgery, identifying abnormalities during the second surgery and long-term complications after second surgery were significantly different. All patients were successfully followed up and average follow-up time for patients with traumatic and non-traumatic biliary stricture was (88.44 ± 35.67) months and (69.48 ± 36.61) months respectively. Survival analysis indicated that there was no statistical difference in overall survival between two groups. Additionally, cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that first preoperative bilirubin level, short-term complication after first surgery and identifying abnormalities during the second surgery were independent risk factors that may have significant effects on patients' overall survival and long-term prognosis after cholangiojejunostomy. Among the intraoperative abnormal findings, residual lesions after the first operation had significant effects on the patients overall survival in the earlier stage. Relatively, anastomotic stoma stricture and biliary output loop problems had obvious effects on patients' overall survival at later stages.ConclusionFirst preoperative bilirubin level, short-term complication after first surgery and abnormal findings during the second surgery were independent risk factors of revisional cholangiojejunostomy, which may affect patients' long-term survival. Therefore, surgeons should minimize incidence of postoperative complications through fully evaluating optimal operative time and standardizing surgical procedures.

Endoscopic treatment of a refractory benign biliary stricture using cholangioscopy-guided thulium laser stricturoplasty.

Video 1Details regarding the patient's clinical presentation and prior endoscopic treatments for common hepatic duct stricture are first described in the video. Next, the video features footage from subsequent ERCP demonstrating the common hepatic duct stricture both fluoroscopically and endoscopically via cholangioscopy, followed by treatment with thulium laser stricturoplasty/dissection. The immediate post-treatment images of the stricture are displayed which demonstrated marked improvement in the stricture. Finally, the patient's ensuing clinical course is displayed in which the stricture recurred and was retreated with laser stricturoplasty/dissection and stent upsizing.

Bronchoscopic Management of Benign Bronchial Stenosis by Electrocautery and Balloon Dilatation

Benign bronchial stenosis is managed by surgical or bronchoscopic methods. Although surgical approach is definitive, it is technically demanding and is costlier than bronchoscopic treatment. Here, we report the case of a 27-year-old female patient with symptomatic benign bronchial stenosis of the left main bronchus. The stenosis was dilated successfully through a fibreoptic bronchoscope by electrocautery followed by balloon bronchoplasty and application of mitomycin-C. On follow up, there was no evidence of re-stenosis.

Fluoroscopy-guided trans-urethral exchange of double-J ureteral stents

BackgroundFor patients with malignant ureteral obstruction or stricture who require long-term internal drainage, plastic double-J stents (DJ stents) represent the mainstay of therapeutic strategies. DJ stents should be replaced at least once every 6 months to avoid infection or obstruction. Although DJ stents are generally replaced under cystoscopy, successful fluoroscopy-guided retrograde replacement of DJ stents in the interventional suite has been described in the literature.MethodsBetween April 2004 and May 2020, we exchanged 143 DJ stents in 19 male and 22 female patients under fluoroscopic guidance using Nelaton catheters, snare catheters, and 8F DJ stents. All procedures were performed with patients under sedation and local anesthesia. There were 39 patients with malignant ureteral obstruction and two patients with benign ureteral strictures. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Technical success, clinical success, complications, procedure time, and mean interval between two procedures were retrospectively reviewed, and the factors affecting the success rate of the procedure were analyzed.ResultsObstruction was detected at the abdominal ureter in 4 patients, pelvic ureter in 29 patients, and intravesical ureter in 8 patients. Twenty-six patients underwent two or more sessions of the procedures, whereas 15 patients underwent single-session procedures. Total 34 outpatient-based procedures and 109 inpatient-based procedures were performed. Technical success and clinical success were achieved in 94.4% (135/143) and 93.3% (126/135) procedures, respectively. Mean procedure time was 21.5 min (range 9–192 min). Mean procedure interval was 101.8 days (range 5–306 days). Technical success was negatively affected by male sex and obstruction at the pelvic ureter and was positively affected by previous successful exchange. Left-sided ureteral stent placement and old age negatively influenced clinical success. Septic shock occurred in one patient and was treated with antibiotics.ConclusionFluoroscopy-guided trans-urethral exchange of DJ stents is an effective and less painful procedure.

Antegrade endobiliary forceps biopsy under the optical coherence tomography control in the diagnosis of Klatskin tumor: preliminary results

Background: Transcutaneous transhepatic endobiliary forceps biopsy is an accepted method for verification of extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, but its sensitivity ranges from zero to 94%. In the recent years, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been actively used to diagnose malignancies.&#x0D; Aim: To assess diagnostic accuracy of the OCT-assisted intraductal forceps biopsy in patients with Klatskin tumor.&#x0D; Materials and methods: From 2013 to 2021, 161 patients with preliminary diagnosis of Klatskin tumor were seen in Russian Scientific Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies named after Academician A.M. Granov. The retrospective study included 48 patients and 51 procedures of the forceps biopsy. In 14 (29%) patients of the main study group, the biopsy procedure was performed with OCT assistance, whereas the control group (34 patients, 71%) had their biopsies without the OCT.&#x0D; Results: All procedures were technically successful. In the main and in the control study groups, sensitivity was 92.3% versus 73.3% (p = 0.32) and specificity 100% versus 85.7% (p = 0.88), respectively. Malignant neoplasm of the biliary tract was found in 13 cases versus 23 in the control group, with the degree of the tumor differentiation being determined in 64.3% (n = 9), versus 48.7% (n = 18) (p = 0.89), respectively. There were no adverse events associated with OCT and biopsy sampling in the main study group. In the control group, 4/37 procedures (10.8%) were associated with hemobilia, which was successfully treated conservatively within 24 hours without any prolongation of the hospital stay.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our preliminary results indicate that antegrade endobiliary forceps biopsy is a safe and informative technique. The OCT navigation increases the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis. This allows for a personalized choice of chemotherapy. OCT is a promising technique for differential diagnosis of Klatskin tumor from benign biliary strictures. Further large-scale studies are required to introduce it into everyday practice.

Initial Experience of Endobronchial Silicon Stents from a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

Central airway obstruction (CAO) is defined as obstruction of trachea and principal bronchi. Therapeutic rigid bronchoscopy with tracheobronchial stenting using silicon stents is a well established procedure in the management of such conditions. However, there is limited experience with this technique in India. Between January 2010 and April 2010, Dumon stents were placed in four patients with CAO. Three patients had symptomatic tracheal stenosis while one patient had malignant obstruction at the carina. Rigid bronchoscopy under general anaesthesia was performed to relieve the CAO followed by placement of silicon stents. Pre- and post-stent placement symptom assessment was performed with a symptom-based visual analogue scale. Four patients underwent silicon stent placement in the tracheobronchial tree. Three patients had benign post-intubation tracheal stenosis and one had malignant tracheal obstruction at carina due to endobronchial growth. Significant improvement was achieved in all patients. There were no significant complications. Rigid bronchoscopy with silicon stent placement is an effective and suitable method of relieving the distressing symptoms due to benign or malignant airway obstruction.

Establishment of two canine models of benign airway stenosis and the effect of mitomycin C on airway stenosis

ObjectivesCuffed endotracheal intubation and stent implantation were employed to simulate two types of benign airway stenosis and further to analysis the different features between them from trachecscopic characteristics, gross anatomy to histopathological changes. In addition, our study explored the therapeutic effect of mitomycin C at different concentrations on granulation tissue caused by stent implantation in order to provide a new therapeutic strategy for clinical treatment of benign airway stenosis. MethodsTwelve beagle dogs were randomly divided into four groups, with three dogs in each group. Group A: Three beagle dogs were intubated through oral trachea after general anesthesia and cuff pressure maintained at 200 mmHg for 24 h. Group B, Group C and Group D: endotracheal coated self-expanding metal stents were placed after general anesthesia under the guidance of bronchoscope. On the Day7 after stent implantation, Group B, as control group, was injected phosphate buffer solution of 1 ml into granulation tissue at the end of stent; Group C was injected mitomycin C of 1 ml at 0.4 mg/ml and Group D was injected mitomycin C of 1 ml at 0.8 mg/ml into granulation tissue at the end of metal airway stent respectively, the same method as Group B. Bronchoscopy was used to observe tracheal lumen on the seventh day, fourteenth day and twenty-first day after modeling and pathological changes were examined on twenty-first day. ResultsTwo models of benign airway stenosis can be established by cuffed endotracheal intubation and stent implantation. There was tracheal rupture in the trachea cartiage ring in the cuffed endotracheal intubation group, but was't in stent implantation group. Histopathological characteristics were different between cuffed endotracheal intubation and stent implantation groups. In stent placement groups, we found that the stenosis degree of mitomycin C at 0.4 mg/ml was approximately 19%–32%, mitomycin C at 0.8 mg/ml was approximately 16%–21% and the control group was approximately 36%–47%. ConclusionThe two models of canine benign tracheal stenosis induced by cuffed endotracheal intubation and stent implantation are relatively simple, reliable and reproducible and have different characteristics. Mitomycin C could inhibit proliferation of granulation tissue and attenuate the degree of airway stenosis caused by stent implantation.

BOUGIE DILATATION IN BENIGN ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURES: EVALUATION OF ADJUVANT METHYLPREDNISOLONE INJECTION

Objective: Mechanical dilatation and adjuvant injection of triamcinolone acetate (TA) effectively preserve the opening provided and reduce the number of bougie dilation (BD) in benign esophageal strictures. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the role of Methylprednisolone (MP) injection after BD in providing permanent/long-term lumen opening. Materials and Methods: Among 22 patients diagnosed with benign esophageal strictures (BES) between January 2017 and October 2020, we evaluated the results of 8 patients who continued the endoscopic follow-up program and underwent BD and MP injection, then compared with the literature. Results: We treated 8 patients [6 (75%) women, mean age 61±16.9 years (range 22-77)] with strictures of different etiologies (3 anastomotic, 2 iatrogenic esophageal rupture repairs, 2 recurrent webs, and 1 scleroderma) with BD followed by intralesional MP injection. We performed median BD sessions 3.5 times (range 1-8). We gave a median 3 intralesional MP injection (range 1-7). The median time to resolve stricture was 2.5 months (range 1-4). The median endoscopic follow-up time was 4.5 months (range 1-17). Conclusions: Adjuvant MP injection is successful in preserving the lumen patency provided after mechanical dilatation. Randomized controlled studies are needed to determine the steroid type and dose to provide the most optimal permanent lumen opening with lesser dilatation sessions in BES.

PD-6 DNA methylome as a potential biomarker in biliary brushes and bile fluid samples to differentiate between benign and malignant biliary stenosis

The diagnosis of perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains an important clinical challenge. Current detection methods are mostly based on biliary brushing samples with suboptimal sensitivity and/or specificity, leading to late diagnosis and higher mortality rates.