BougieCap Dilation in Eosinophilic Esophagitis for Stricture Treatment under Visual and Haptic Control

A 51-year-old male with a recently established diagnosis of stricturing eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) under anti-inflammatory treatment with orodispersible budesonide 1-mg bid presented for esophageal stricture treatment due to persistent dysphagia. The recent (“subacute”) esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) indicated discrete EoE stigmata, such as edema with reduced vascular pattern, discrete linear furrows, and rings ([Fig. 1A]), as well as a hardly passable stricture of an estimated 2-cm axial length in the distal esophagus ([Fig. 1B]), summing up to an endoscopic reference score (EREFS) of 5 points. The patient underwent esophageal dilation without fluoroscopy using a 12- and 14-mm BougieCap (Ovesco Endoscopy, Tübingen, Germany) as an innovative novel endoscopy accessory for stricture treatment under visual and haptic control.[1] During slow and judicious increases in forward forces within the stricture with marked circumferential mucosal whitening reflective of tissue traction, mucosal lacerations and tears at 7 and 11 o’clock ([Fig. 1C]) and later on at 1 o’clock became visible. ([Fig. 1D]) The further clinical course was uncomplicated, and the patient underwent another dilation session 6 weeks apart up to 16 mm with durable clinical and endoscopic response ([Video 1]; available in the online version).

Fig. 1 (A) Endoscopic image of the midesophagus illustrating signs of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) with reduced vascular pattern, discrete linear furrows, and rings, as well as (B) an estimated 2-cm stricture in the distal esophagus (EREFS score 5). (C) BougieCap dilation procedure with circumferential mucosal whitening reflective of tissue traction and minor mucosal lacerations at 7 and 11 o’clock. (D) Later stage of the procedure highlighting a larger tear at 1 o’clock.

Video 1

BougieCap dilation in eosinophilic esophagitis for stricture treatment under visual and haptic control.

The BougieCap, as a radiolucent single-use, dome-shaped transparent cap of different available sizes from 7 to 16 mm, is attached to the scope tip. ([Fig. 2]) Bougienage is by gently advancing the endoscopy through the stricture under ancillary rotational movements under both endoscopic and haptic control. Whether or not a guidewire used for BougieCap dilation is at the discretion of the operator. In our endoscopy practice, guidewire assistance is implemented for high-grade and/or proximal strictures. In addition, we suggest using a guidewire in the first procedures of individual operators during the learning curve. Preliminary experience in real-world use and a recent systematic study have established its overall safety in endoscopy practice with “the lost cap” being a signature, albeit mostly innocuous complication.[2] Whether or not its use translates into improved safety in esophageal dilation in the high-risk population of EoE patients, notorious for oftentimes impressive mucosal tears, and postdilation chest pain awaits further research.[3]

Fig. 2 The BougieCap device slipped on and being taped to the end of an upper endoscope.

Conflict of Interest

The author states no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Ramrakhiani H, Triadafilopoulos G. Negotiating dire straits with a BougieCap. Dig Dis Sci 2020
• 2 Walter B, Schmidbaur S, Rahman I, Albers D, Schumacher B, Meining A. The BougieCap - a new method for endoscopic treatment of complex benign esophageal stenosis: results from a multicenter study. Endoscopy 2019; 51 (09) 866-870
• 3 Zimmer V. BougieCap esophageal passage: a novel potential tool for calibration of lumen diameter in eosinophilic esophagitis?. Gastrointest Endosc 2018; 88 (03) 568-569

Publication History

Article published online:
14 September 2020