A Giant Tracheogastric Tube Fistula Caused by a Penetrated Peptic Ulcer after Esopbageal Replacement

Peptic ulcers may develop in pulled-up gastric tubes used for esophageal replacement and may cause serious complications, such as perforation and hemorrhage, although they occur only rarely. We report a case in which a giant tracheogastric tube fistula was formed by penetration of a peptic ulcer into the trachea after esophageal replacement for esophageal cancer. Another ulcer developed and bled in the proximal cervical gastric tubestomy after the gastric tube diversion. Disturbed blood circulation probably was an etiological factor. Two-stage management of the fistula was advocated to save the patient.     

Benign peptic ulcers penetrating pericardium and heart: clinicopathological features and factors favoring survival

Penetration of the pericardium and heart by benign peptic ulcers is rare. Before 1965 it was almost invariably fatal, but about 20% of recently reported cases have survived. We report 4 representative cases and review 91 additional cases from the literature. The ulcers arose in esophagus, hiatus hernias, abdominal stomach, and near anastomoses, and the predominant predisposing factor was previous surgery to the esophagogastric region. Whereas penetrating esophageal ulcers had a slightly better prognosis than gastric lesions, the principal determinant of clinical presentation, findings, and prognosis was the site of cardiac involvement. The clinicopathological features of pericardial, atrial, and ventricular involvement are distinct. We evaluate the different implications of these features for diagnosis, management, and prognosis and make some tentative recommendations regarding diagnostic procedures and treatment. Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are critical to successful treatment of this entity, which may present with predominantly cardiac or gastrointestinal symptomatology.     

Peptic ulcer of the gastric tube after esophagectomy for cancer: clinical implications

The use of the stomach as an esophageal substitute has become a well-established treatment procedure after esophagectomy for cancer. During the procedure, a bilateral truncal vagotomy is performed, which should prevent the occurrence of acid-related diseases in the gastric tube and in the remaining esophagus. We report the case of a man who presented a plugged perforated peptic ulcer that subsequently decompensated following endoscopic examination 1 year after a transthoracic esophagectomy with neoadjuvant chemo-radiation for a middle third squamous cell carcinoma. Resection of the ulcer and suture with a pleural patch was performed. There was no evidence of recurrent malignancy at time of surgery. The pathophysiology of gastric tube ulcer is multifactorial. Long-term treatment with an anti-secretory proton pump inhibitor may decrease esophageal complications of duodeno-gastric-esophageal reflux and could prevent the recurrence of gastric tube ulcers.     

Perforation of a gastric tube peptic ulcer into the thoracic aorta

We present a case of a 52-year-old male patient who died from massive hematemesis as a result of perforation of a benign peptic ulcer into the descending thoracic aorta, 1 year after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer and gastric tube interposition. We also review the literature for mechanisms of ulceration in intrathoracic gastric grafts and for complications of such ulcers.     

Perforation of a Benign Gastric Ulcer into the Subdiaphragmatic Aorta

A patient in whom a benign gastric ulcer perforated into the subdiaphragmatic aorta is reported. This is the second such case to be documented and the first to be reported in the English literature. Previous gastroesophageal surgery, regional radiation therapy, ulcerogenic medications, and endocrinopathies seem to be contributing factors to the potential of benign gastric and esophageal ulcers to perforate into the pericardium, left atrium, left ventricle thoracic or abdominal aorta. This complication is almost always lethal. It is concluded that peptic disease in patients with these contributing factors warrants aggressive treatment.     

Magnetic resonance imaging differentiated partial from complete absence of the left pericardium in a case of leftward displacement of the heart.

A 44-year-old man was referred to hospital for the evaluation of atypical chest pain. His chest X-ray showed leftward displacement of the heart. During echocardiography, the apical window displaced laterally in the usual left lateral position and characteristic motions of the interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall were recognized with postural alterations. We presumed a complete absence of the left pericardium. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), however, demonstrated a partial left-sided pericardium. The diagnosis was corrected to partial absence of the left pericardium and we have carefully followed up this case without surgical prophylactic intervention. It is very important to differentiate partial from complete absence of the pericardium, because only in patients with partial absence of the pericardium is there a risk of fatal myocardial strangulation. The features of the chest X-ray and echocardiography of this case, which strongly suggested complete absence of the left pericardium, are possibly not always reliable signs. In cases with these abnormal imaging features, MRI may provide additional useful information, as in this case.     

Acute mediastinitis arising from pancreatic mediastinal fistula in recurrent pancreatitis

Acute mediastinitis is a fatal disease that usually originates from esophageal perforation and surgical infection. Rare cases of descending necrotizing mediastinitis can occur following oral cavity and pharynx infection or can be a complication of pancreatitis. The most common thoracic complications of pancreatic disease are reactive pleural effusion and pneumonia, while rare complications include thoracic conditions, such as pancreaticopleural fistula with massive pleural effusion or hemothorax and extension of pseudocyst into the mediastinum. There have been no reports of acute mediastinitis originating from pancreatitis in South Korea. In this report, we present the case of a 50-year-old female suffering from acute mediastinitis with pleural effusion arising from recurrent pancreatitis that improved after surgical intervention.     

心脏介入术并发急性心包填塞的临床分析

【】 目的 总结心脏介入术中并发急性心包填塞的防治体会。方法 回顾性分析6例心脏介入术中发生急性心包填塞患者的发病特点、发生原因及处理措施。结果 二尖瓣球囊扩张术(PBMV)中1例为房间隔穿刺位置过高致右心房穿孔而发生急性心包填塞,经紧急心外科手术救治成功,1例为送入穿刺鞘致心房穿孔所致,超声引导下心包穿刺置管引流48h后痊愈;冠状动脉介入治疗术(PCI)中1例为反复推送导丝穿破高度狭窄钙化的左前降支所致, 经紧急心外科手术救治成功,1例为急性前壁心肌梗死PCI时发生,经对症治疗及置管引流48小时后痊愈;射频消融术(RFCA)中1例为放置左上肺静脉电极导管时不慎将左心耳穿破所致,行猪尾导管引流、输血、升压等措施后心包填塞症状缓解;心脏永久性起搏器植入术中1例为电极损伤冠状静脉所致,行超声下猪尾导管心包穿刺引流及输血等治疗后,病情稳定。结论：急性心包填塞是心脏介入术的严重并发症,积极预防、及时发现、果断处理是防治的关键措施。     

Pneumopericardial tamponade resulting from a spontaneous gastropericardial fistula

Pneumopericardium is a rare but serious cause of morbidity and mortality. Untreated, it can lead to cardiac tamponade and thus must be promptly identified to treat the underlying etiology. Here, we report a case of spontaneous pneumopericardium secondary to gastric ulcer perforation in association with a hiatal hernia. The diagnosis of pneumopericardium was first made under fluoroscopy during cardiac catheterization and a follow‐up CT of the chest revealed a gastropericardial fistula as the initiating event. The patient underwent emergent thoracotomy and partial esophagogastrectomy which eventually resulted in a full recovery and discharge on postoperative day 19. Our unique experience with this rare and often fatal disease suggests that early diagnosis combined with an early and aggressive surgical strategy is critical for minimizing morbidity and mortality. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Ulcer in the gastric tube for esophageal replacement: a comparison of 12 esophageal cancer patients with or without postoperative radiotherapy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ulcer in the gastric tube for esophageal replacement, which was caused by peptic factors or postoperative radiotherapy (Rx), are occasionally reported. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinicopathologic features of the ulcers in the gastric tube. METHODS: In 62 patients with a reconstructed gastric tube, after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer, esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. Ulcers of the gastric tube were detected in 12 patients: six with postoperative Rx and six without Rx. The 12 patients with gastric tube ulcers (GU-group) were reviewed and compared to the remaining 50 patients without ulcers of the gastric tube (Control-group). Clinicopathologic features of gastric tube ulcers were compared between the patients with and without Rx. RESULTS: There was no difference in any parameter between the patients of the GU- and Control-groups. Comparing the patients of the GU-group with and without Rx, the ulcers of the gastric tube in the patients without Rx were frequently located in the lower part of the gastric tube (P = 0.067), detected in a later period after surgery (P = 0.055), associated with cervical esophagitis (P = 0.03), and less associated with gastritis (P = 0.03). In three patients of the GU-group without Rx, Helicobacter pylori was detected in the gastric tube. Two of the three patients had a history of peptic ulcers before surgery, and had recurrence of the gastric tube ulcers. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric tube ulcers without postoperative Rx may have different characteristics compared to those induced by Rx.     

Gastropericardial fistula after failure of laparoscopic hiatal repair

We describe a 77-year-old patient with gastropericardial fistula occurring 5 years after laparoscopic surgery for hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux. The patient presented with isolated intermittent substernal pain without fever. Chest radiographs disclosed extensive pneumopericardium and thoracic computed tomography suggested gastropericardial fistula between the pericardium and the surgical wrap, slipped into the thorax. Emergency surgery allowed successful repair through laparotomy via the trans-hiatal approach.     

An Ulcer in the Gastric Tube Used for Esophageal Replacement after Esophagectomy — Report of a Case

Abstract: We report a patient with an asymptomatic recurrent peptic ulcer occurring in the gastric tube after reconstruction for esophagectomy with a long follow-up. The patient is an 82-year-old male, who had undergone an esophagectomy for cancer, and a gastric tube was used for esophageal replacement at the age of 77 years. A follow-up study using endoscopic examination revealed an active peptic ulcer in the gastric tube one year after the operation, ulcer scar formation 9 weeks after H2 receptor antagonist medication, and recurrence of the ulcer about 3 years after quitting the medication. The recurrent active ulcer has disappeared after re-administration of H2 receptor antagonist. Helicobacter pylori has not been detected, although eradication has not been per formed. It is suggested that high acidity might play a part in the pathogenesis of ulcer formation despite the vagotomy. Since a peptic ulcer in the gastric tube can potentially cause serious complications including perforation and hemorrhage, we have to bear in mind not only recurrence of the cancer but also gastric tube ulceration in the follow-up survey after esophagectomy, to facilitate early detection of ulcer and effective treat ment. (Dig Endosc 1999:11: 62–65)     

Esophagopericardial fistula attributed to a barogenic rupture of the esophagus. Report of a case and review of the literature.

In this case we describe a fatal condition of esophagopericardial fistula secondary to barogenic rupture of the esophagus. The review of the literature disclosed only one fatal case (reported in 1968) of esophagopericardial fistula attributed to barogenic rupture of the esophagus. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment including pericardiocentesis along with intermittent drainage of the pericardium, full-course antibiotic therapy and a timely, well-planned surgical intervention will substantially improve the prognosis in this type of pathology. Patients similar to our case should be treated with either surgical bipolar esophageal exclusion (conservative disconnection) or esophagectomy combined with large drainage of the pericardial and mediastinal spaces. This case report reinforces the complexity of the diagnosis, and perhaps the need for clinical awareness and the inclusion of this entity in a differential diagnosis.     

Cardiac perforation complicated by cardiac tamponade and sealed with metallic coils

Distal coronary artery perforation with an angioplasty guidewire is a rare complication that may cause cardiac tamponade, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, and even death. The use of platelet IIb/IIIa glycoprotein receptor inhibitors increases the risk of potentially fatal complications that are difficult to manage. We report a patient on treatment with abciximab who presented coronary perforation in a distal branch of the right coronary artery caused by the coronary guidewire tip, and complicated by acute cardiac tamponade. Blood extravasation to the pericardium was stopped by releasing two metallic coils into the distal vessel, thereby avoiding the need for emergent cardiac surgery.     

Endoscopic variceal ligation caused massive bleeding due to laceration of an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli

Endoscopic variceal obturation of gastric varices with tissue glue is considered the first choice for management of gastric varices, and is usually safe and effective. However, there is still a low incidence of complications and some are even fatal. Here, we present a case in which endoscopic variceal ligation caused laceration of the esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue emboli and massive bleeding after 3 mo. Cessation of bleeding was achieved via variceal sclerotherapy using a cap-fitted gastroscope. Methods of recognizing an esophageal varicose vein with tissue glue plug are discussed.     

Echocardiography in acute infectious myocarditis

Two cases of acute infectious myocarditis are reported, of which one was fatal. Echocardiographic features included normal left ventricular size with diffuse asynergy of the wall movements, increased right ventricular size, an echocardiographic pattern of thickened posterior pericardium, and also mural thrombus of the left ventricle in the fatal case. These echocardiographic changes were totally reversible in the nonfatal case. Hence, because of acute fulminant myocarditis, the left ventricle may be noncompliant, with poor systolic function leading to pulmonic edema and even death.     

Esophagobronchial fistula combined with a peptic esophageal stenosis

Peptic strictures are a rare complication of severe gastroesophageal reflux disease. An esophagobronchial fistula as a complication of a severe long-term reflux esophagitis with peptic stenosis is here described for the first time: A 43-year-old mentally disabled patient suffered from recurrent bronchopneumonia. Endoscopy revealed an esophagobronchial fistula originating in a peptic stricture. Under short-term fasting, intravenous feeding and application of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) closure of this fistula was achieved within 4 days. Subsequently, dilatation was carried out. The case demonstrates that pulmonary complications in patients with peptic esophageal strictures may not only be due to aspiration of refluxate but--rarely--also to fistulae between the esophagus and the bronchial tree.     

Gastroventricular fistula: severe complication of posterior mediastinal gastric tube reconstruction after esophagectomy

A case of gastroventricular fistula following resection of cancer of the midesophagus and reconstruction using a gastric tube via the retromediastinal route is presented. Given that a peptic ulcer occurring in the gastric tube can perforate into any adjacent structures, gastroventricular fistula is one of the most lethal complications after esophagectomy.     

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for aortic complications after esophagectomy for cancer: report of three cases

Aortic complications after esophageal cancer surgery are rare and usually fatal. Here, we report three patients who underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic complications after esophagectomy for cancer. In the first case, aortic rupture was caused by pyothorax due to residual tumor after esophagectomy. In the second case, aortic rupture was caused by pyothorax due to anastomotic leakage. In the third case, a pseudoaneurysm was caused by surgical injury during esophagectomy. TEVAR was safe and effective for severe aortic complications when graft infection was avoided. The first case died of sepsis on the 84th postoperative day, and the other two cases have survived 4 years and 2 years to date.     

Bochdalek Hernia With Gastric Volvulus in an Adult: Common Symptoms for an Original Diagnosis

Bochdalek hernias in adulthood are rare. Symptomatic Bochdalek hernias in adults are rarer, but may lead to fatal complications. Patients with acute gastric volvulus on diaphragmatic hernia are a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency.Here, we report a case of a 56-year-old woman diagnosed with epigastric pain, cough, vomiting since 2 weeks and shortness of breath. Complicated Bochdalek hernia was an incidental finding, diagnosed by chest radiograph, computed tomography (CT), and barium swallow study. Stomach was within the thorax in the left side due to left diaphragmatic hernia of a nontraumatic cause.The patient was prepared for the laparoscopic surgical repair, to close the defect. The patient recovered with accepted general condition and was discharged 9 days later.Diagnoses of Bochdalek hernias in adulthood are challenging. However, although rare, this possibility should be kept in mind to avoid fatal complications.