ESOPHAGEAL PERFORATION CAUSED BY THORACIC SPINE FRACTURE DISLOCATION

Abstract

  We report a case of esophageal perforation caused by fracture dislocation of the thoracic spine. A 70-year-old man was injured in a bicycle accident and diagnosed with multiple fractures of the spine (C2, T2, T10-11), facial bones, and the left ribs. After halo-vest immobilization, esophageal perforation became apparent adjacent to the fracture fragment of T2, concomitant with upper mediastinal abscess. Conservative management was employed by continuing application of the halo device and prevention of contamination of the field for subsequent orthopedic surgery. As a result of irrigating the abscess with an endoscopically inserted nasoesophageal catheter and percutaneous CT-guided drainage, the infection was soon relieved and internal fixation of T2 was successfully performed. Afterwards, the esophageal perforation closed spontaneously and the patient made a good recovery without symptoms.