Esophago-pericardial fistula during the course of primary esophageal carcinoma.

ABSTRACT

The study presented a case of an esophago-pericardial fistula during the course of primary esophageal carcinoma. The occurrence of this was insidious, with the first symptom being pericardial sac tamponade. After full diagnostics the patient was qualified for surgery. The patient was subjected to videothoracoscopy, left-sided thoracotomy, fenestration, and pericardial sac drainage, with placement of a self-expandable esophageal prosthesis. During the course of the disease the patient required bronchial tree patency restoration and prosthesis application. The patient survived 329 days.