Through-the-Scope, Wire-Guided Esophageal Dilation for the Treatment of Food Impaction

Background Acute esophageal food impaction (EFI) may be treated by endoscopic extraction of the food bolus either en bloc or in a piecemeal fashion. We have found this endoscopic extraction technique to be unsatisfactory. Objective Our purpose was to demonstrate the use of through-the-scope (TTS), wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to treat EFI. Design Case reports defining the technique and results of esophageal balloon dilation to treat EFI. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Eleven patients presenting with EFI. Interventions Through-the-scope (TTS), wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to relieve EFI. Main outcome measurements Endoscopic resolution of EFI. Results TTS, wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation successfully dislodged the EFI in all 11 patients. The procedure took <5 minutes to complete in all cases. There were no major procedure-related complications. Limitations Small number of patients. Conclusions We have found TTS, wire-guided esophageal balloon dilation to be a simple, quick, safe, and effective technique to treat EFI.