LAUSR

A 50-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of increasing dysphagia. She had been diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus 2 years previously and started on treatment with tacrolimus and corticosteroids. Multiple diverticula of the esophagus were confirmed and the largest diverticulum was located next to the cardia. Esophagogram showed delayed passage of contrast into the stomach, and gastroscopy revealed a dilated esophagus with retained liquid and increased resistance at the cardia (▶Fig. 1 a–c). The patient refused to undergo endoscopic or surgical myotomy as she was concerned about the treatment risks. Therefore, esophageal stent implantation was believed to be an option for this case. During treatment, the most appropriate dimension of the self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) was determined by judging the location of the multiple diverticula based on endoscopic assessment; a fully covered retrievable SEMS (Micro-Tech, Nanjing, China) with a size of 20mm× 140mm was selected. The SEMS delivery system was advanced across the cardia over the guidewire, and the SEMS was then positioned and deployed adequately under endoscopic view; a thread was fixed to the patient’s nose to prevent stent migration (▶Fig. 1d). Follow-up endoscopy and stent retrieval were performed 2 months later. The dysphagia had improved significantly and endoscopy revealed decreased resistance at the cardia (▶Fig. 1 e). However, the thread that fixed the SEMS had caused a cleft palate (▶Fig. 1 f, ▶Video 1). After consulting an oral surgeon, repair surgery was not recommended as the patient had no obvious symptoms associated with the cleft palate. ▶ Fig. 1 Cleft palate: a rare complication following esophageal stent implantation. a Esophagogram showed multiple diverticula of the esophagus and delayed passage of contrast into the stomach (black arrow). b, c Gastroscopy revealed multiple diverticula in the dilated esophagus with retained liquid and increased resistance at the cardia (black arrow); the largest diverticulum was located next to the cardia (red arrow). d A fully covered retrievable self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) was positioned and deployed, and a thread was fixed to the patientʼs nose to prevent stent migration (black arrow). e Stent retrieval was performed 2 months later and endoscopy revealed decreased resistance at the cardia (black arrow). f A cleft palate was caused by the thread that fixed the SEMS (black arrow).