Case Report
Conservative management for an esophageal perforation in a patient presented with delayed diagnosis: a case report
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* Corresponding author: Konstantinos Blouhos kostasblu@hotmail.com
1 4th Surgical Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Str, Thessaloniki, 57010, Greece
2 Gastroenterological Department, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, George Papanikolaou Str, Thessaloniki, 57010, Greece
3 Respiratory Department, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, George Papanikolaou Str, Thessaloniki, 57010, Greece
Cases Journal 2009, 2:164 doi:10.1186/1757-1626-2-164
Published: 22 October 2009Abstract
Background
Esophageal perforation is a serious condition with a high mortality rate. Successful therapy depends on the size of the rupture; the time elapsed between rupture and diagnosis, and the underlying health of the patient. Common causes of esophageal perforation include medical instrumentation, foreign-body ingestion, and trauma.
Case report
A case of esophageal perforation due to fish bone ingestion in a 67-year-old male is described here, with a review of the pertinent literature. The patient presented with chest pain, fever and right-sided pleural effusion. Initial evaluation was nondiagnostic. The water-soluble contrast swallow test showed no evidence of leakage. Computed tomography scan demonstrated a pneumomediastinum, and right-sided hydropneumothorax.
Conclusion
The patient was successfully treated using conservative measures.