Medical image of the week: eosphageal perforation

Abstract

No abstract available. Article truncated after 150 words. A 74 year old man with a past medical history of esophageal strictures status post dilatation, coronary artery disease status post CABG, and atrial fibrillation presented to hospital with complaints of severe chest pain that began after the consumption of tortilla chips one hour prior to presentation. Electrocardiogram and cardiac enzymes were not consistent with acute coronary syndrome. Chest X-ray was consistent with a widened mediastinal silhouette. Contrast esophogram was negative for extra luminal extravasation. CT scan of the chest with oral contrast demonstrated thickening of the mid-thoracic esophagus with an extra-luminal focus of gas in the mediastinum along with fluid along the inferior aspect of the esophagus (Figures 1 and 2). These findings were concerning for esophageal perforation. The patient was taken to the operating room for endoscopy which showed micro perforation in mid-esophagus. Esophageal perforation remains a highly morbid condition. Mortality rates are based predominantly on time of ...

Keywords

• eosphageal perforation
• medistinal air
• CT scan
• symptoms
• eosphageal stricture
• esophageal dilatation
• treatment
• neck pain
• odynophagia
• dysphagia