Oesophageal strictures are a recognised complication of radiotherapy treatment for head, neck and oesophageal cancers. Dilatation of the completely obstructed oesophagus may require combined antegrade and retrograde dilatation (CARD). Retrograde endoscopic access may be achieved by dilatation of an existing gastrostomy site. Whilst effective, complications have been reported from gastrostomy dilatation, and from passage of the endoscope. 

This is the first video report of a radiologic retrograde approach for management of occlusive oesophageal  stricture. We describe a case of a completely occluded oesophagus, post-radical chemoradiotherapy for mid-oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, which was successfully recanalized by CARD using a novel, exclusively radiologic retrograde approach.