Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation for squamous dysplasia of the oesophagus

5.1 In a case series of 13 patients, 1 patient (with a narrowed oesophagus after endoscopic mucosal resection) had an oesophageal perforation and a mediastinal abscess that developed 2 days after dilation for stenosis, done 12 days after radiofrequency ablation. This was managed with a covered stent and percutaneous drainage. After removal of the stent, a further stenosis was observed that was treated by repeated dilatation, corticosteroid injection and incisional therapy.

5.2 Oesophageal strictures were reported after circumferential radiofrequency ablation in 20% (4/20) and 14% (4/29) of patients in a case series of 20 patients and a case series of 29 patients respectively. Two strictures (both related to endoscopic mucosal resection) were reported in 2 patients in the case series of 13 patients. All strictures in all these series resolved after 1 or more endoscopic dilations.

5.3 Mucosal laceration after sizing was reported in 1 patient in the case series of 29 patients and in 1 patient in the case series of 20 patients. Mucosal laceration (at the endoscopic resection scar) was reported in 2 patients in the case series of 13 patients. None of these lacerations needed treatment.

5.4 Submucosal haematoma (asymptomatic and needing no intervention) was reported in 1 patient in the case series of 13 patients.

5.5 The specialist advisers listed additional adverse events as complications of sedation, odynophagia, dysphagia, and chest and back pain.