title: Contribution of computed tomography with oral media contrast to the diagnosis of esophago-pericardial fistula.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Nancy, France. peyrin-biroulet@netcourrier.com <peyrin-biroulet@netcourrier.com>
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peyrin-Biroulet
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Bronowicki
authors.forename: Marc-Andre
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bigard
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Regent
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walter
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Platini
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media