Asymptomatic esophago-pleural fistula presenting 35 years after pneumonectomy for tuberculosis

Postpneumonectomy esophago-pleural fistula (EPF) is rare and potentially life-threatening. It is mainly caused by surgical injury, local cancer recurrence, and chronic inflammation or infection. Patients with postpneumonectomy EPF usually present with empyema. We report a case of a clinically asympt...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of thoracic imaging Vol. 20; no. 3; p. 223
Main Authors Pache, Gregor, Thuerl, Christina, Bley, Thorsten, Kotter, Elmar, Ghanem, Nadir
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.08.2005
Subjects
Contrast Media
Esophageal Fistula - diagnostic imaging
Esophageal Fistula - etiology
Esophageal Fistula - surgery
Female
Humans
Middle Aged
Pleural Diseases - diagnostic imaging
Pleural Diseases - etiology
Pleural Diseases - surgery
Pneumonectomy - adverse effects
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tuberculosis, Pulmonary - surgery
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Summary:Postpneumonectomy esophago-pleural fistula (EPF) is rare and potentially life-threatening. It is mainly caused by surgical injury, local cancer recurrence, and chronic inflammation or infection. Patients with postpneumonectomy EPF usually present with empyema. We report a case of a clinically asymptomatic esophago-pleural fistula, diagnosed accidentally in a 64-year-old woman more than 30 years after right lobe pneumonectomy due to tuberculosis. Contrast-enhanced CT, chest radiography, and esophagogramm were the imaging modalities used together with esophagoscopy in diagnosing the EPF; however, contrast-enhanced CT in combination with oral given contrast-media is the first imaging technique of choice to evaluate esophago-pleural fistula.
ISSN:0883-5993
DOI:10.1097/01.rti.0000155043.74533.79