title: Esophageal-atrial fistula.
abstract: We report an unusual case of an esophageal-atrial fistula in a patient with CREST (calcinosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, esophagitis, sclerodactyly, telangiectasia) variant of scleroderma. An ulcer in Barrett's esophagus perforated into the left atrium and led to systemic embolization and cerebral abscess. A review of similar reports of esophageal-atrial fistula reveals a symptom complex that includes chronic esophageal pathology, gastrointestinal bleeding, and neurological signs. An antemortem diagnosis has never been made.
mesh_terms: D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications*; D014456:Ulcer / Q000150:complications