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Endoscopy 1994; 26(3): 275-277
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1008966
Original Articles

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Palliation of Malignant Oesophageal Obstruction by Endoscopic Alcohol Injection

S. C. S. Chung1 , H. T. Leong1 , C. Y. C. Choi1 , J. W. C. Leung2 , A. K. C. Li1
  • 1Department of Surgery, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong
  • 2Division of Gastroenterology, Duke University Medical Centre, Box 3341, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A.
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Publication History

Publication Date:
17 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Thirty six-patients with inoperable cancers of the oesophagus or gastric tumour in the cardia were treated by endoscopic alcohol injection. After dilatation using Savary dilators, absolute alcohol was injected in 0.5 - 1 ml aliquots into protuberant parts using a sclerotherapy needle. The mean volume per session was 7.8 ml. The mean dysphagia score improved from 2.7 before treatment to 1.4 after treatment (p < 0.001). Complications included mediastinitis in one patient and tracheo-oesophageal fistulas in two patients. The mean duration of palliation before the development of recurrent dysphagia was 35 days. The mean survival was 82 days. Endoscopic alcohol injection is effective in relieving malignant dysphagia. This inexpensive and easily available technique merits comparative studies with more established forms of therapy, such as laser photocoagulation.

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