Successful endoscopic dilatation of a severe stricture of the cervical esophagus after definitive combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for esophageal cancer

We describe an improved endoscopic technique for antegrade dilatation of a cervical esophageal stricture performed with the use of using a guide wire, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatic-duct (ERCP) catheter, and a balloon dilator. The patient was a 55-year-old woman who had a cervical esophageal stricture associated with definitive chemoradiotherapy for advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Endoscopy showed the stricture was located at the esophageal orifice. The membranous stricture was punctured with an ERCP catheter, and balloon dilators were passed through the stricture under C-arm fluoroscopy. This technique is considered useful for managing severe strictures of the cervical esophagus after combined chemotherapy plus radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.