Endoscopy 1999; 31(5): 370-376
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-31
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

A New Long-Range Through-the-Scope Balloon Applicator for Photodynamic Therapy in the Esophagus and Cardia

 L. Gossner 1 ,  A. May 1 ,  R. Sroka 2 ,  C. Ell 1
  • 1 Dept. of Medicine II, Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany 2 LFL Laser Research Laboratory, Dept. of Urology, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

Introduction

The use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to achieve selective sensitization of precancerous or malignant lesions in the gastrointestinal tract provides an attractive method of achieving endoscopically controlled light-induced tissue destruction [1] [2]. For methodological reasons, and particularly in view of the existing well-developed therapeutic alternatives available for palliative treatment of stenosing tumors in the gastrointestinal tract [3] [4] [5], the emphasis in PDT will in the future be placed on the destruction of early carcinoma of the digestive tract confined to the mucosa and to premalignant alterations, particularly in the esophagus. Light diffusers with cylindrical irradiation characteristics have been developed, and have been applied clinically in the treatment of the esophagus - which, being a cylindrical hollow organ, requires homogeneous axial and circumferential illumination [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]. However, disadvantages with these applicator systems are that they cannot be inserted through the instrumentation channel of the endoscope, or they cannot be centrally aligned within the lumen of the esophagus, or they allow delivery of light only over a limited distance and thus require segmental light application - for example, in longer Barrett segments.

The requirements of clinically reliable light application and adequate monitoring of the interactions between light and photosensitized tissue play an important role, particularly in the treatment of small, superficial lesions. The present report describes the development and clinical application of a flexible balloon applicator up to 10 cm in length, which can be delivered through the endoscope and allows photodynamic ablation of dysplastic Barrett's mucosa in the region of the cardia and esophagus.

References

  • 1 Ell C, Gossner L, May A, et al. Photodynamic ablation of early cancers of the stomach by means of mTHPC and laser irradiation: preliminary clinical experience.  Gut. 1998;  43 345-9
  • 2 Sibille A, Lambert R, Souquet J, et al. Long-term survival after photodynamic therapy for esophageal cancer.  Gastroenterology. 1995;  108 337-44
  • 3 Ell C, Riemann JF, Lux G, Demling L. Palliative laser treatment of malignant stenoses in the upper gastrointestinal tract.  Endoscopy. 1986;  18 (Suppl 1) 21-6
  • 4 May A, Selmaier M, Hochberger J, et al. Memory metal stents for palliation of malignant obstruction of the oesophagus and cardia.  Gut. 1995;  37 309-13
  • 5 Lightdale C, Heier S, Marcon N, et al. A multicenter phase III trial of photodynamic therapy (PDT) vs. Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of malignant dysphagia.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1993;  39 A283
  • 6 Arnfield G, Gonzales S, Lea P, et al. Cylindrical irradiator fiber tip for photodynamic therapy.  Lasers Surg Med. 1986;  6 150-4
  • 7 Monnier P, Savary M, Fontolliet C, et al. Photodetection and photodynamic therapy of early squamous cell carcinomas of the pharynx, oesophagus and tracheobronchial tree.  Lasers Med Sci. 1990;  5 149-68
  • 8 Feather JW, King PR, Driver J, Dawson JB. A method for the construction of disposable cylindrical diffusing fibre tips for use in photodynamic therapy.  Lasers Med Sci. 1989;  4 229-35
  • 9 Fujii H, Asakura T, Jutamulia S, et al. Light-scattering properties of a rough-ended optical fibre.  Opt Laser Technol. 1984;  7 40-4
  • 10 Wagnières G, Monnier P, Savary M, et al. Photodynamic therapy of early cancer in the upper aerodigestive tract and bronchi: instrumentation and clinical results. In: Gomer CJ. Future directions and applications in photodynamic therapy. SPIE Inst Ser 1990 IS6: 249-71
  • 11 Overholt BF, DeNovo RC, Panjehpour M, Petersen MG. A centering balloon for photodynamic therapy of esophageal cancer tested in a canine model.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1993;  39 782-7
  • 12 Gossner L, Sroka R, Hahn EG, Ell C. Photodynamic therapy: successful destruction of gastrointestinal cancer after oral administration of aminolevulinic acid.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1995;  41 55-8
  • 13 Sroka R, Beyer W, Krug M, et al. Laser light application and light monitoring for photodynamic therapy in hollow organs.  Lasers Med Sci. 1993;  8 63-8
  • 14 Bayer W. Systems for light application and dosimetry in photodynamic therapy.  J Photochem Photobiol B: Biol. 1996;  36 153-6
  • 15 Gossner L, Stolte M, Sroka R, et al. Photodynamic ablation of high-grade dysplasia and early cancer in columnar-lined Barrett's esophagus by means of 5-aminolevulinic acid-induced protoporphyrin IX and laser irradiation.  Gastroenterology. 1998;  114 448-55
  • 16 Overholt BF, Panjehpour M. Barrett's esophagus: photodynamic therapy for ablation of dysplasia, reduction of specialized mucosa and treatment of superficial cancer.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1995;  42 64-9
  • 17 Overholt BF, Panjehpour M. Photodynamic therapy for Barrett's esophagus: clinical update.  Am J Gastroenterol. 1996;  91 1719-23
  • 18 Fisher AMR, Murphee AL, Gomer CJ. Clinical and preclinical photodynamic therapy.  Lasers Surg Med. 1995;  17 2-31
  • 19 McCaughan JS Jr, Nims TA, Guy JT, et al. Photodynamic therapy for esophageal tumors.  Arch Surg. 1989;  124 74-80
  • 20 Patrice T, Foultier MT, Yactayo S, et al. Endoscopic photodynamic therapy with hematoporphyrin derivative for primary treatment of gastrointestinal neoplasms in inoperable patients.  Dig Dis Sci. 1990;  35 545-52
  • 21 Overholt BF. Photodynamic therapy and thermal treatment of esophageal cancer.  Gastrointest Endosc Clin North Am. 1992;  2 433-55
  • 22 Ernst H, Sassy T, Sroka R, et al. Ultrastructural changes in normal rat colon induced by photodynamic therapy.  Lasers Med Sci. 1994;  9 17-25
  • 23 Wiemann TJ, Mang TS, Fingar H et al. Effects of photodynamic therapy on blood flow in normal and tumor vessels.  Surgery. 1988;  104 512-7
  • 24 Sampliner RE, Fennerty MB, Garewal HS. Reversal of Barrett's esophagus with acid suppression and multipolar electrocoagulation: preliminary results.  Gastrointest Endosc. 1996;  44 532-5
  • 25 Berenson MM, Johnson TD, Markowitz NR, et al. Restoration of squamous mucosa after ablation of Barrett's esophageal epithelium.  Gastroenterology. 1993;  104 1686-91

L. GossnerM.D. 

Innere Medizin II

Klinikum der Landeshauptstadt Wiesbaden

Ludwig-Erhard-Strasse 100

65199 Wiesbaden

Germany

Phone: + 49-611-432420

    >