Felis ISSN 2398-2950

Esophagus: balloon dilation

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.