HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Giménez, A. Articles by Estrada, P. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Giménez, A. Articles by Estrada, P. Related Collections Chest Radiology Gastrointestinal Radiology

Thoracic Complications of Esophageal Disorders¹

¹ From the Department of Radiology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, Avda Sant Antoni M. Claret 167, 08025 Barcelona, Spain (A.G., T.F., S.M., P.E.); and the Department of Radiology, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex (J.J.E.). Presented as an education exhibit at the 2001 RSNA scientific assembly. Received February 22, 2002; revision requested March 27 and received May 29; accepted June 14. Address correspondence to A.G. (e-mail: agimenez@hsp.santpau.es).

Abnormalities of the esophagus are common, and complications associated with these disorders and diseases can involve the mediastinum, tracheobronchial tree, and lungs. The most common complications include mediastinitis secondary to esophageal perforation or postoperative anastomotic leak, or both; empyema due to fistula formation; and aspiration pneumonia. The authors reviewed the radiologic appearances of those and other common thoracic complications associated with esophageal disorders to facilitate early detection, diagnosis, and management. Computed tomographic (CT) findings of acute mediastinitis secondary to esophageal perforation may include esophageal thickening, extraluminal gas, pleural effusion, single or multiple abscesses, and extraluminal contrast medium. The radiologic manifestations of pneumonia secondary to tracheoesophageal fistula are variable, depending on the spread and severity of the aspiration. The most common radiographic pattern is that of bronchopneumonia with scattered air-space opacities. CT has been regarded as the imaging modality of choice for the evaluation of suspected esophagopleural fistula, because the site of communication between the pleural space and the esophagus can often be seen. An awareness of the radiologic manifestations of these complications is thus required to facilitate early diagnosis.

© RSNA, 2002

Index Terms: Empyema, 6.76 • Esophagus, perforation, 71.41 • Fistula, gastrointestinal tract, 71.41 • Lung, aspiration, 60.214 • Lung, infection, 60.20 • Mediastinitis, 67.272

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Ampollini and A. Bobbio Reply to Giri and Sarkar Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., January 1, 2007; 31(1): 140 - 140. [Full Text] [PDF]