Contribution of computed tomography with oral media contrast to the diagnosis of esophago-pericardial fistula.
The esophago-pericardial fistula is a very rare and usually fatal complication of esophageal cancers. We report a case of a 56-year-old man who presented with chest pain 1 month after concurrent radiochemotherapy for squamous cell esophageal carcinoma. Thoracic computed tomography (CT) with oral iodinated media contrast revealed esophago-pericardial fistula visualizing the fistulous tract. We conclude that CT with oral contrast media may be the first imaging technique of choice to confirm the diagnosis of esophago-pleural fistula.
Peyrin-Biroulet
Laurent
L
Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Nancy, France. peyrin-biroulet@netcourrier.com <peyrin-biroulet@netcourrier.com>
Bronowicki
Jean-Pierre
JP
Bigard
Marc-Andre
MA
Regent
Denis
D
Walter
Sabine
S
Platini
Christian
C
D000284:Administration, Oral; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005402:Fistula / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011026:Pneumopericardium / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D003287:Contrast Media