Radiographic appearances of esophageal stents

Esophageal Stents: Findings on Esophagography in 46 Patients

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this report is to assess the findings on esophagography in patients with esophageal stents for palliation of malignant tumors involving the esophagus.

CONCLUSION

Radiologists should be familiar with findings of little importance (stent narrowing, flow of contrast medium around stent, stent kinks, and apparent esophageal narrowing below stent because of incompletely distended hiatal hernias) versus more important findings (polypoid defects above or below stent, narrowing within or below stent, delayed stent emptying, esophageal-airway fistulas, stent migration, and abutting of distal stent against greater curvature of stomach) on esophagography after stent placement to guide endoscopists regarding the need for stent revision.

CT appearance of implanted esophageal stents

Three different types of esophageal stents, the Z-stent, Ultraflex, and Wall-stent, exhibit different shapes on CT, which may suggest a difference in the radial forces applied by each of the stents. CT is useful for displaying the relationship between an esophageal stent and adjacent structures and complications.