title: Oesophageal perforation complicating intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography: suspicion can save lives.
abstract: Oesophageal injury is an extremely rare complication of intra-operative transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) associated with cardiac surgery. We report a case of delayed presentation (19 days after surgery) of oesophageal injury that was likely due to TOE following an aortic valve replacement. Lack of suspicion led to a delay in diagnosis but the patient fortunately survived. We advocate that in the event of postoperative hydropneumothorax, the differential diagnosis must include iatrogenic oesophageal injury from transoesophageal echo.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic, Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool, UK. Hany.el-sayed@lhch.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Hany
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elsayed
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chalmers
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003287:Contrast Media; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D006872:Hydropneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D003974:Diatrizoate Meglumine