Oral higher dose prednisolone to prevent stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection for early esophageal cancer

Figure 1 Representative case (case 1). A 67-yr-old female who underwent endoscopic resection for large superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A: Endoscopic view of the tumor after Lugol’s staining. The tumor spread to more than 3/4 of the circumference of the esophageal lumen; B: Endoscopic view of the ulcer bed immediately after endoscopic submucosal dissection. The width of the mucosal defect was ≥ 3/4 and less than the entire circumference. Then oral steroid was administered as a prophylactic treatment; C: Endoscopic view on the 30^th d. The mucosal defect was still undergoing re-epithelialization, and a 9.9 mm diameter gastroscope (Olympus GIF-Q260J) could pass. D: Endoscopic view on the 180^th d; Complete epithelialization is shown and a 9.9 mm diameter gastroscope (Olympus GIF-Q260J) could pass without dysphagia.

Figure 2 Representative case (case 3). A 70-yr-old female who underwent endoscopic resection for large superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. A: Endoscopic view of the tumor after Lugol’s staining. The tumor spread to about the entire circumference of the esophageal lumen; B: Endoscopic view of the ulcer bed immediately after endoscopic submucosal dissection. The width of the mucosal defect was the entire lumen circumference. Then oral steroid was administered as a prophylactic treatment; C: Endoscopic view 6 mo later. The mucosal defect underwent complete epithelialization, and an 9.9 mm diameter gastroscope (Olympus GIF-Q260J) could pass; D: Endoscopic view after 1 yr. The endoscope could pass without dysphagia.