Fatal esophageal perforation caused by invasive candidiasis.
Instrumental lesions, spontaneous rupture, and trauma cause most esophageal perforations. Transmural fungal infection is extremely rare, although Candida may be detected in as many as 25% of normal esophagus. In this report we present a case of fatal esophageal perforation due to transmural Candida infection in a 76-year-old woman. The patient died from septic shock and multiorgan failure, despite esophageal resection and systemic antifungal therapy. Pathogenetic aspects and treatment strategies are discussed.
Gock
Michael
M
Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, and Pathology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
Schäfer
Markus
M
Perren
Aurel
A
Demartines
Nicolas
N
Clavien
Pierre-Alain
PA
D000368:Aged; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000382:microbiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans