title: Hypopharyngeal perforation: an unusual complication of transesophageal echocardiography.
abstract: Physicians frequently use transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for clinical cardiology and during surgery. It is considered a safe procedure, and only a few cases of complications have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 78-year-old man who experienced a perforation of the hypopharynx following TEE. The perforation went unrecognized for 10 days. Computed tomography identified a cervical abscess, which was drained. The patient recovered and was doing well at the 1-year follow-up. Hypopharyngeal perforation is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication. Surgeons should know and recognize its clinical signs to prevent its occurrence.
authors: CHU de Tours, Université François-Rabelais, 2 Blvd. Tonnellé, 37000 Tours, France. bakhos_d@med.univ-tours.fr
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Bakhos
authors: Jean-Phillippe
authors: JP
authors: Cottier
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Beutter
authors: Sylvain
authors: S
authors: Morinière
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004322:Drainage; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007013:Hypopharynx / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents