Appendiceal perforation due to biliary stent migration in a neutropenic patient with lung cancer receiving chemotherapy: A case report

The use of biliary stents has become a common and usually safe procedure. However, the migration of biliary stents is an uncommon but well-recognized event after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The migration of plastic stents usually does not result in complications and are spontaneously eliminated from the gastro-intestinal tract. Additionally, <1% of migrated stents result in intestinal perforation, which typically occurs at the duodenum. Chemotherapeutic agents may cause gastrointestinal toxicity and hematologic toxicity predisposing to neutropenic enterocolitis. The current study reports a patient with an unprecedented case of biliary stent migration resulting in appendiceal gangrene and perforation in a neutropenic patient under chemotherapy for metastatic small cell lung cancer.

Automated summary

The migration of biliary stents is a rare but well-recognized event after endoscopic procedures, with most cases being uncomplicated. However, in rare instances, migration can lead to intestinal perforation, particularly in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Patients with neutropenia are at higher risk for complications from migrated stents.