A case of refractory benign esophageal stricture treated successfully by placement of an esophageal stent

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman presented to the hospital complaining of vomiting. She was diagnosed by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy as having a benign esophageal stricture associated with reflux esophagitis. Although her symptoms improved temporarily with balloon dilatation performed three times, the stricture recurred immediately after each dilatation. Because she refused to undergo frequent endoscopic treatments, an esophageal stent was temporarily inserted, with informed consent from both the patient and her family. Three months later, endoscopy no longer revealed evidence of esophageal stricture, and the stent was endoscopically removed. Until now, approximately 6 months after the endoscopic stent removal, the patient has developed no recurrence of the symptoms of stricture.