title: Missed diagnosis of oesophageal perforation in ankylosing spondylitis cervical fracture: Two case reports and literature review.
abstract: Oesophageal perforation after blunt injury cervical fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is rarely reported. The early diagnosis of oesophageal perforation is extremely important. We present two cases of patients with AS who sustained cervical fracture dislocation and spinal cord injury. The ossified sharp fragments caused oesophageal perforation, and the delayed diagnoses had serious consequences. Oesophageal perforation should be suspected in patients with AS and cervical fracture if bone fragments are pressing against the oesophagus and a gas shadow is visible around the fracture site on computed tomography imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Sheng-Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Shi
authors.initials: XS
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wei-Shan
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China 13758104840@163.com.
authors.forename: Wan-Li
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Oesophageal perforation; ankylosing spondylitis; cervical fractures; computerized tomography