Cardiac tamponade, an unusual and fatal complication of esophagus dilatation for benign stenosis: a case report.
BACKGROUND
We present a patient with a fatal late esophago-pericardial fistula three months after dilatation for benign oesophagus stenosis


METHODS
A 71-year-old caucasian male with a known benign esophagus stenosis was referred to the ICU. On arrival an asystole developed which proved to be due to a large pericardial effusion. Pericardial fluids were drained, but the patients' condition worsened and he died due to multiple organ failure. Postmortum investigation revealed an esophago-pericardial fistula.


CONCLUSIONS
Causes of an acute tamponade should also be sought in semirecent events, such as manipulation to the oesophagus months before the acute critical illness.
Greven
Wendela L
WL
Department of Intensive Care, Gelre Hospitals, Lukas site, Post office Box 9014, 7300 DS, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands. p.spronk@gelre.nl.
Kooij
Nicole
N
Peters
Herman M
HM
Kardux
Joost
J
Spronk
Peter E
PE