2 Cases of Periesophageal Abscess Following Esophagoscopy

Abstract

Two cases of periesophageal abscess were reported. The first case was examined by direct esophagoscopy and the second case by fiberscope, searching for presumed foreign bodies. No foreign body was found in either case. After endoscopy, in both cases pain started to increase and a periesophageal abscess had already been formed when they first visited our clinic. It seems that the endoscopic procedure caused esophageal perforation and/or infection through a possible injury in the esophageal wall occasioned by the foreign body. The second case suggests that even fiberscopy is dangerous in examining for a foreign body which may have injured the esophageal wall. The periesophageal abscess of the second case, which was localized in the neck, was cured by drainage under direct esophagoscopy. However, in the first case, because the abscess rapidly extended into the mediastinum, surgical treatment was required. Sufficient drainage of the mediastinal abscess was achieved by postoperative continuous suction and frequent cleaning.