부산대학교 도서관

Introduction: Esophageal-pericardial fistulas are rare complications of a variety of conditions ranging from benign esophageal disorders to iatrogenic etiologies such as radiofrequency catheter ablation. Here, we present a unique case of esophageal-pericardial fistula formation following esophageal stent migration in the setting of ulcerative esophagitis and benign esophageal stricture.Case Presentation: A 53-year-old woman with a history of ulcerative esophagitis and associated esophageal stricture was managed with esophageal stenting. Following stenting, her course was complicated by esophageal stent migration, resulting in severe dysphagia and multiple gastrointestinal bleeds requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement. She presented with fatigue, melena, and dark output from her PEG tube and was hypotensive, tachycardic, and tachypneic. An echocardiogram (Figure 1A) showed hydro-pneumopericardium with cardiac tamponade physiology requiring emergent pericardiocentesis and aspirated fluid shown in Figure 1B. A subsequent computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest demonstrated a large complex pericardial effusion with air in the anterior pericardium, a large esophageal-pericardial fistula, and a moderate left hydropneumothorax (Figure 1C). Given the extent of her esophageal defect, the patient was taken for an esophagectomy with esophagostomy formation.Discussion: On review, we found only a few cases of hydro-pneumopericardium in the context of spontaneous pericardial herniation due to subcutaneous emphysema, radiofrequency ablation for atrial arrhythmias and esophagectomy for esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, there has been no report of esophageal-pericardial fistula due to esophageal stent migration.Conclusion: In an appropriate setting, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for esophageal-pericardial fistulas, as delay in the management of these conditions could be fatal.