Abstract
Case 1: A 64-year-old female had esophageal trauma from a fish bone. Dyspnea necessitated tracheotomy. Incision and drainage produced a large amount of purulent material from which Peptostreptococcus was cultured.
Case 2: A 74-year-old male had esophageal trauma from a fish bone. Incision and drainage produced much purulent material, but no bacteria grew out in cultures.
Computer tomography was useful in making the diagnosis of abscess. Electronic endoscopy was used to examine the esophageal membrane of the periesophageal abscess. It showed that the anterior wall of esophageal membrane was diffusely swollen, the central region of the swelling was retracted, and a pus plug had been formed.
The treatment was surgical, in combination with appropriate antibiotics.
