title: Aortoesophageal fistula after reconstruction of the thoracic spine.
abstract: Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare complication after neurosurgical repair of the thoracic spine. We report an instance of a lethal aortoesophageal fistula caused by a pseudoaneurysm that developed after long contact between the prosthetic material from a spinal reconstruction procedure and the thoracic aorta. Pathologic examination showed that the mesh formed the roof of the pseudoaneurysm and was the most probable cause of the lesion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA.
authors.forename: N R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Floch
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Beattie
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*