title: Pharyngeal perforation: a late complication of cervical spine surgery.
abstract: Anterior cervical spine fusion and stabilization is a well-recognized procedure for a number of cervical spine disorders. Unfortunately, the complex anatomy of the cervical spine means that these procedures are not without complications. Pharyngo-oesophageal perforation is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of cervical spine surgery and may present intra-operatively, in the immediate post-operative period or many years later. We present the case of a gentleman with ankylosing spondylitis who presented with a pharyngeal perforation and fistula five years after cervical spine surgery.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Bristol Royal Infirmary/Bristol Children's Hospital, Bristol, UK. Sarah.Woolley@ubht.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: D R K
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000209:etiology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000601:surgery