Abstract

Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) has been reported to provide effective treatment alternatives with minimal morbidity for patients with malignant gastroduodenal obstruction. Limitations of SEMSs are stent occlusion due to tumor ingrowth or overgrowth and stent migration. Migrated stents may remain in the stomach or travel distally. To our knowledge, however, migration of pyloric SEMS to the esophagus has not been reported. We experienced such a case in a 65-year-old woman who had undergone a gastrojejunostomy and choledochojejunostomy due to unresectable pancreatic head cancer. Pyloric SEMSs (Niti-S Pyloric Bare Stent, 18⁓60 mm, Taewoong Medical, Korea) were deployed at the obstructed efferent and afferent loops. After severe vomiting, a pyloric SEMS placed at the afferent loop migrated into the esophagus, which caused severe chest pain and intractable hiccup. It was removed endoscopically. This case illustrates that pyloric SEMS can migrate to the esophagus through the lower esophageal sphincter. (Korean J Gastrointest Endosc 2003;27:80⁣83)

• Keywords: Gastric outlet obstruction, Self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS), Pancreatic cancer, Esophageal migration