Two-stage Surgery for an Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Tuberculous Esophagitis

J Korean Med Sci. 2015 Nov;30(11):1706-9. doi: 10.3346/jkms.2015.30.11.1706. Epub 2015 Oct 16.

Abstract

An aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) is an extremely rare, potentially fatal condition, and aortic surgery is usually performed together with extracorporeal circulation. However, this surgical method has a high rate of surgical complications and mortality. This report describes an AEF caused by tuberculous esophagitis that was treated successfully using a two-stage operation. A 52-yr-old man was admitted to the hospital with severe hematemesis and syncope. Based on the computed tomography and diagnostic endoscopic findings, he was diagnosed with an AEF and initially underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair. Esophageal reconstruction was performed after controlling the mediastinal inflammation. The patient suffered postoperative anastomotic leakage, which was treated by an endoscopic procedure, and the patient was discharged without any further problems. The patient received 9 months of anti-tuberculosis treatment after he was diagnosed with histologically confirmed tuberculous esophagitis; subsequently, he was followed as an outpatient and has had no recurrence of the tuberculosis or any further issues.

Keywords: Aortic Disease; Esophageal Fistula; Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR).

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Diseases / etiology
  • Aortic Diseases / surgery*
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / complications*
  • Eosinophilic Esophagitis / surgery*
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery*
  • Esophagoscopy / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Tuberculosis / complications*
  • Tuberculosis / surgery
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures / methods