title: [Oesophageal perforation of osteosynthesis material after anterior cervical surgery].
abstract: The rare, potentially life-threatening complication to anterior cervical surgery, oesophageal perforation, occurs after surgical trauma or due to erosion by migrating hardware. Symptoms are hoarseness, dysphagia, neck/throat pain, subcutaneous emphysema and fever. Imaging and endoscopic diagnosis can give false negative results. We present a case of a 74-year-old male, who was readmitted with sepsis and abscess in the operation area three weeks after anterior cervical surgery. Veillonella parvula was found in the abscess material and computed tomography confirmed the diagnosis of oesophageal perforation.
authors.affiliation: Letlandsgade 7, 3. th., 1723 København V. juliewiis@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Julie Therese
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Wiis
authors.forename: Henrietta Carolina
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Nittby
authors.forename: Anne Oberg
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Lauritsen
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000382:microbiology; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000209:etiology*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016268:Internal Fixators / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018805:Sepsis / Q000382:microbiology; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014678:Veillonella / Q000302:isolation & purification