Introduction

• Resolution of esophageal stricture by means of a balloon dilation technique.

Uses

• Treatment of stricture secondary to esophagitis Esophagitis, esophageal trauma, burns, foreign bodies Esophagus: foreign body and, occasionally hairballs.

Advantages

• Most cats can be expected to show improvement following this technique. The magnitude of the improvement depends on the severity of the underlying pathology.
• Balloon catheter dilation is the treatment of choice: there is less risk of perforation than with bougienage and fewer dilation cycles are required to alleviate symptoms.

Disadvantages

• Repeated dilations may be required, usually at 1-3 week intervals, in severe cases.
• General anesthesia is always required.
• Ideally, fluoroscopic guidance should be employed during dilation treatment. The availability of this modality is limited however.
• An endoscope is required Esophagoscopy.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Outcomes

Prognosis

• Most patients are improved by this procedure and it is therefore well worth pursuing since symptoms can be troublesome and distressing.

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Harai B H, Johnson S E, Sherding R G (1995) Endoscopically guided balloon dilation of benign esophageal stricture in 6 cats and 7 dogs. J Vet Intern Med 9 (5), 332-335 PubMed.
• Willard M D, Delles E K, Fossum T W (1993) Iatrogenic tears associated with ballooning of esophageal strictures. JAAHA 30 (5), 431-5 VetMedResource.
• Burk R L, Zawie D A & Garvie M S (1987) Balloon catheter dilation of intramural esophageal strictures in the dog and cat: a description of the procedure and a report of six cases. Semin Vet Med Surg 2 (4), 241-7 PubMed.
• Sooy T E, Adams W M, Pitts R P et al (1987) Balloon catheter dilation of alimentary tract strictures in the dog and cat. Radiology 28 (4), 131-7 VetMedResource.