The pitfall of relying on the abdominal radiograph to determine stent function after palliation of malignant colonic obstruction using a self-expanding metal stent

Acute colonic stent malfunction was diagnosed in an 81-yr-old woman who underwent palliation of an obstructing rectosigmoid cancer, because abdominal radiography showed retained stool and barium. Surgery was avoided after colonoscopy showed that the inspissated barium and stool mixture was coating and not obstructing the colon. The barium and stool mixture was washed off using the water jet from a heat probe unit. (C) 2000 by Am. Coll. of Gastroenterology.