title: Type B aortic dissection resulting in acute esophageal necrosis.
abstract: In the present article, we report a case in which acute esophageal necrosis (AEN) of the intrathoracic esophagus was caused by extensive thrombosis in the false lumen of an aortic dissection, thereby occluding the blood flow to the intercostal arteries and thus the esophagus. According to the previously published data, AEN after aortic dissection is very rare and usually fatal. Besides esophageal ischemia secondary to arterial occlusion, direct extrinsic compression of the arteriovenous network surrounding the esophagus, caused by the traumatic pathology of the aorta, by extensive extravasation may also cause AEN. AEN is most commonly confirmed by esophagoscopy, typically showing a black, diffusely necrotic, and ulcerated esophageal mucosa.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. e.vandewal@alumni.maastrichtuniversity.nl
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: van de Wal-Visscher
authors.forename: Grard A P
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuijzen
authors.forename: Grard A P
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Nieuwenhuijsen
authors.forename: Marc R H M
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: van Sambeek
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Haanschoten
authors.forename: Kees-Joost
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Botman
authors.forename: Ignace H J T
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: de Hingh
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001027:Aortography / Q000379:methods; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D004945:Esophagoscopy; D004947:Esophagus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000209:etiology; D009336:Necrosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome