Esophageal necrosis and perforation of the left main bronchus following photodynamic therapy of esophageal carcinoma.
Photodynamic therapy is an effective palliative treatment of esophageal cancer. Minor complications associated with this therapy include pleural effusions, fever or esophageal strictures. In addition to this major complications such as respiratory-esophageal fistula and bronchus perforation have been described. We report here our experience with a patient who developed a complete esophageal necrosis and perforation of the left main bronchus following photodynamic therapy. The surgical and intensive care management of the patient is described and the literature discussed.
Mall
J W
JW
Department of General, Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Medical Faculty of the Humboldt University, Charité Hospital, Berlin, Germany. julianmall@hotmail.com
Zuckermann-Becker
H
H
Pollmann
C
C
Opitz
I
I
Rogalla
P
P
Walter
M
M
D001982:Bronchial Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care / Q000379:methods; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D010166:Palliative Care; D010778:Photochemotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy