balloon

Introduction

An expandable device inserted into a lumen in order to place outward pressure on the interior walls of the lumen.

Indications

• control of hemorrhage
  • balloon tamponade for esophageal varices
  • temporary surgical occlusion of artery or vein
• expansion of a lumen
  • angioplasty for arterial stenosis
  • dilation of esophagus
    • esophageal stricture, achalasia
    • esophageal balloon distension provocation
  • dilation of ureter (ureteral stricture)
  • dilation of urethra
• distension of a body cavity
  • endoscopic distension of the bladder
• atrial septosomy
• valvotomy or dilation of cardiac valve
• dilation of ventricular outflow tract (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy)
• arterial pump (intra-aortic balloon pump)
• securing tip of tube distal to sphincter
• ablation
  • endometrial ablation
• balloon compression of trigeminal nerve or trigeminal ganglion

More general terms

• device (medical device)

More specific terms

• endobronchial balloon

Additional terms

• balloon expulsion test
• balloon rupture
• balloon tamponade
• ballooning
• deflation of balloon
• inflation of balloon
• intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP, intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation)