Placement of Palmaz stents in malignant duodenal stenosis through a cutaneous fistula.

Abstract

This is the first report of palliative percutaneous treatment of a malignant duodenal stenosis due to cancer of the pancreatic head with Palmaz stents. A 65-year-old male with a malignant tumour of the pancreatic head developed an abscess with fistular communication to the cutis. In the subsequent course of the disease, tumour growth led to a severe duodenal stenosis. To dilate the tumorous stenosis, three Palmaz stents were introduced coaxially into the duodenum percutaneously, via the preexisting fistula. A technique to pass an almost 90 degrees kink is described. Symptomatic malignant duodenal stenosis was treated by insertion of three Palmaz stents. Due to their accurately controlled passive expansion at the level of the stenosis, and the resulting good adaptation to the individual anatomical situation, they were suitable for application in the duodenum.