IS Case 313: Colonic stent placement for sigmoid colon stricture

Malin Cesarz, MD

Imaging Sciences URMC 2009
Publication Date: 2009-09-14

History

Patient is an 81-year-old female who presented with abdominal distension, nausea, and vomiting. CT was suspicious for a sigmoid stricture.

Findings

Imaging Findings: (see below)

Diagnosis

Colonic stent placement for sigmoid colon stricture

Discussion

Self-expanding metal stents are a treatment option for colonic strictures, especially in debilitated patients for whom the risks of surgery are great. The stents are usually placed by gastroenterologists using an endoscope. Endoscopic imaging alone or with fluoroscopic imaging can be used. The fluoroscopic imaging helps with an overall assessment of stent placement. Success rates are >90 % for decompression of the colon.

This patient’s stricture was the result of prior inflammatory disease.

References

Adler DG, Merwat SN. Endoscopic approaches for palliation of luminal gastrointestinal obstruction. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2006 Mar;35(1):65-82, viii. PMID: 16530111