Esophageal stenosis in head and neck cancer patients: Imaging's accuracy to predict dilation response

Abstract

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to examine how well findings of cervical esophageal stenosis on modified barium swallow (MBS) and esophagram correlate with clinical improvement following dilation in patients with a history of head and neck (H&N) cancer. Methods: A retrospective review was performed at an academic hospital. The study population included H&N cancer patients with a history of neck dissection surgery who underwent esophageal dilation from 2010 to2018. Pre and postdilation swallowing function was assessed. The Functional Outcomes Swallowing Scale (FOSS) and Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were used as outcome measures. Results: The 95 patients were included. All patients had imaging prior to dilation. Post-dilation FOSS and FOIS scores were significantly improved (P