title: T cell lymphoma presenting as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The mediastinum is an uncommon location for presentation of peripheral T cell lymphoma. Esophageal involvement by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is extremely unusual. Although staging can be performed with routine imaging studies, surgical intervention is often required to ensure accurate histologic diagnosis of these lymphomas. Peripheral T cell lymphomas not otherwise specified are among the most aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas with often a poor response to conventional chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a 63 year-old-man with an aggressive mediastinal T cell lymphoma presenting as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula. The patient was treated with a cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) regimen. Repeat computer tomography scan of the chest after chemotherapy noted a significant decrease in the cavitary lesion in the right paraesophageal region and right mediastinum. Bronchoscopy revealed a large opening in the posterior wall of the bronchus intermedius leading into the esophagus. A fistulogram was done which clearly demonstrated a fistulous tract between the lower esophagus and the right intermediate bronchus secondary to perforation from the lymphoma. The patient eventually underwent cervical esophagostomy and jejunostomy tube placement to correct the brochoesophageal fistula.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mediastinum is an uncommon location for presentation of peripheral T cell lymphomas, and surgical intervention is often required to ensure accurate histological diagnosis of these lymphomas. In our patient, aggressive mediastinal T cell lymphoma presented as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY 10595, USA.
authors.forename: Mala
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.forename: Miechelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Kaushang
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gandhi
authors.forename: Harshad
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Amin
authors.forename: Harit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Desai
mesh_terms: D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004940:Esophageal Stenosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D016399:Lymphoma, T-Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed