Tetracycline-, Doxycycline-, Minocycline-Induced Pseudotumor Cerebri and Esophageal Perforation.

Tetracyclines are a class of broad-spectrum bacteriostatic antibiotics used to treat many infections, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), acne, pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydial infections, and a host of zoonotic infections. These drugs work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacterial ribosomes, specifically by disallowing aminoacyl-tRNA molecules from binding to the ribosomal acceptor sites. While rare, tetracycline antibiotics, particularly minocycline and doxycycline, are associated with an increased risk of developing esophageal perforation and pseudotumor cerebri (PTC, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension). Since tetracyclines are a commonly prescribed class of medications, especially in adolescents for acne treatment, it is important for clinicians to appreciate significant side effects that can result in morbidity and mortality. This paper aims to consolidate and to emphasize current research on the association between tetracycline antibiotics and the development of esophageal perforation, and PTC. PTC is a neurological syndrome consisting of increased intracranial pressure, headache, and vision changes without evidence of the contributing source, such as mass lesion, infection, stroke, or malignancy. Esophageal perforation, while rare, can be the result of pill esophagitis. Pill-induced injuries occur when caustic medicinal pills dissolve in the esophagus rather than in the stomach. Most patients experience only self-limited pain (retrosternal burning discomfort, heartburn, dysphagia, or odynophagia), but hemorrhage, stricture, and perforation may occur. Tetracycline use can lead to pill esophagitis. In summary, clinicians should appreciate the potential risks of tetracycline compounds in clinical practice.

Esophageal perforation: a research review of the anti-infective treatment.

Background Esophageal perforation is a complex disease state and often difficult to diagnose due to the variability in patient presentation. The chosen anti-infective treatment and duration of anti-infective therapy that patients with esophageal perforation receive has been inconsistent. Choice of anti-infective treatment and duration of therapy may also be highly variable from institution to institution, and can even vary by provider. To our knowledge, there has not been a publication reviewing esophageal perforation with a specific focus on pharmacologic management. Aim of the review The aim of this study is to summarize pertinent research articles focused on the anti-infective treatment of adult patients diagnosed with esophageal perforation. Method Pubmed electronic database was utilized to search for articles meeting pre-defined criteria. Articles were included in this review if they discussed at least 1 of the following 3 criteria: choice of anti-infective treatment regimen, duration of anti-infective therapy, or identification of organisms growing from cultures associated with the esophageal perforation. Results Seventy-seven articles included information related to our research question. No randomized-controlled trials were identified and only 7 identified articles reported all 3 criteria of interest. Conclusion Review of the literature from 1979 to 2017 reveals the need for high quality evidence related to anti-infective treatment in patients diagnosed with esophageal perforation.

Conservative Treatment with Octreotide to Provide Early Recovery of Children with Esophageal Perforation.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of nonoperative treatment of esophageal perforation (EP) in children with octreotide is highlighted. METHODS: Records of nine patients (seven boys and two girls with an average age of 5.83 ± 5.35 years) with EP were reviewed. RESULTS: EP developed in six patients during dilation of esophageal stenosis (five of six caused by caustic burns). In the other three patients, EP developed after nasogastric placement, after endotracheal intubation, and during endoscopy for foreign body. The symptoms consisted of dyspnea in four patients, tachypnea in seven patients, fever in six patients, chest pain in two patients, and abdominal pain in one patient. Two patients had pneumomediastinum, four patients had pleural effusion, one patient had subcutaneous emphysema, four patients had pneumothorax, and two patients had severe sepsis. Eight of the perforations resolved spontaneously. Therapy included cessation of oral feedings, implementation of proper antibiosis, parenteral and/or enteral nutrition by gastrostomy, and drainage of pleural effusions or mediastinal abscesses if required. Though not recommended by literature, octreotide was administered to these patients. Only one patient was operated in another clinic and was lost during follow-up. The length of hospitalization stay had a median of 11 ± 6.59 days, ranging between 5 and 28 days. If the patient who was operated and did not receive octreotide therapy is excluded, the median hospitalization was only 8 days (5 to 12 days). All patients in our series (except patient 8) survived and still have their native esophagus. CONCLUSION: The initiation of octreotide treatment in the early period after diagnosis of EP without surgical intervention leads to early improvement in children.

Delayed esophageal perforation after anterior cervical fusion and retropharyngeal steroid use: a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Prevertebral soft-tissue swelling (PSTS) after anterior cervical spine surgery may result in postoperative catastrophic airway complications and persistent dysphagia. Systemic or local corticosteroids have been used to decrease complications related to PSTS. To date, studies using retropharyngeal steroid (RS) have not reported complications with local steroids such as infection, pseudarthrosis, and other systemic adverse effects. PURPOSE: The aim was to report delayed esophageal perforation in two patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery and RS use. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: This was a case report with a review of literature. METHODS: We presented two cases of delayed esophageal perforation without obvious cause in two patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery and RS use. RESULTS: A 45-year-old woman underwent C5-C6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for radiculopathy. Just before closing the wound, one ampule of triamcinolone acetate was placed in the retropharyngeal space. Two months postoperatively, she presented to the emergency department with clinical symptoms of esophageal perforation. Radiographic studies demonstrated a retropharyngeal abscess. A 0.5×1.0-cm sized esophageal defect was identified during the emergency surgery. Complete healing of the esophageal defect was achieved by revision repair with reinforcement using local muscle flap. A 65-year-old man with a history of ankylosing spondylitis presented with severe dysphagia 1 year after C7 pedicle subtraction osteotomy, C2-T4 posterior instrumentation, and C6-C7 ACDF with a plate for a chin-on-chest deformity. Before closure, 1 cc of depomedrol had been placed into the wound. Eleven months postoperatively, he complained of new onset dysphagia. The endoscopic examination demonstrated an esophageal tear with visualization of the anterior cervical plate through the tear. Successful healing was possible with primary repair. CONCLUSIONS: Retropharyngeal steroids have been shown to decrease PSTS and dysphagia after anterior cervical spine surgery. We believe that it would be prudent to consider avoiding the RS use in patients with a history of chronic corticosteroid use and/or soft-tissue vulnerability or only to use them with caution. Any history of dysphagia that occurs weeks, months, or even years later should be investigated for the possibility of esophageal perforation.

Hamman and Boerhaave syndromes - diagnostic dilemmas in a patient presenting with hyperemesis gravidarum: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hyperemesis gravidarum describes persistent vomiting leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalance. It is the commonest reason for admission in the first half of pregnancy. We describe a case of Hamman syndrome secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum. We also discuss Boerhaave syndrome: a particularly rare condition with only a handful of cases being described in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 17 year old admitted with hyperemesis gravidarum was diagnosed with Hamman syndrome after complaining of chest pain due to the presence of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum on chest radiograph. She was treated conservatively for potential ruptured oesophagus but then self-discharged against medical advice. CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous emphysema is an alarming finding in any pregnancy and should be treated in a timely and cautious manner. This case report adds weight to the previous literature advocating a conservative versus surgical approach to the management of a woman with Hamman syndrome secondary to hyperemesis gravidarum.

Black esophagus (acute esophageal necrosis) after spinal anesthesia / Esófago negro (necrosis esofágica aguda) tras anestesia subaracnoidea

Acute esophagic necrosis or black esophagus is an uncommon clinical entity that owes its name to the endoscopic view of the necrotic esophageal mucosa. It is always related with a critical medical condition and usually has an ischemic etiology. We report the first case of acute esophageal necrosis after a spinal anesthetic for partial hip joint arthroplasty. We discuss the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms (AU)

La necrosis esofágica aguda o esófago negro es una entidad clínica infrecuente que debe su nombre al aspecto necrótico de la mucosa esofágica observado durante una endoscopia digestiva alta. Se relaciona siempre con estados clínicos de gravedad y su etiología es habitualmente isquémica. Presentamos el primer caso de necrosis esofágica aguda tras anestesia subaracnoidea para la realización de una artroplastia parcial de cadera. Se discuten los mecanismos fisiopatológicos subyacentes (AU)

Conservative management of esophageal perforations during pneumatic dilation for idiopathic esophageal achalasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Esophageal perforation is the most serious adverse event of pneumatic dilation (PD) for achalasia; it is usually managed by surgical repair. We investigated risk factors for esophageal perforation after PD and evaluated safety and long-term outcome of nonsurgical management strategies. METHODS: We analyzed medical records of patients with achalasia who were treated with PD from 1992-2010 at the University Hospital Gasthuisberg in Leuven, Belgium; all patients with esophageal perforation were contacted to determine long-term outcomes. Achalasia outcomes were assessed by using the Vantrappen criteria. RESULTS: Of 830 PD procedures performed on 372 patients with manometry-confirmed achalasia (57 ± 1 years, 51% male), 16 were complicated by transmural esophageal perforation (4.3% of patients, 1.9% of dilations). Age >65 years was the only significant risk factor for complications (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-10.2). All patients were treated conservatively with broad-spectrum antibiotics and nothing by mouth. In 6 patients (38%) the clinical course was further complicated by a pleural effusion, which required a drain in 4 patients. One patient (6%) died of mediastinal hemorrhage within 12 hours after PD. Patients with complications were discharged after 19 ± 2.3 days, compared with 4 ± 0.2 days for those without complications (P < .0001). Long-term outcomes (mean follow-up, 84 ± 14 months) were determined for 12 patients (75%); 11 had excellent or good outcomes (69%), and 1 had a moderate outcome (6%). CONCLUSIONS: Age >65 years is a significant risk factor for esophageal perforation after PD. Nonsurgical management of transmural esophageal tears is feasible, with favorable short-term and long-term outcomes, but is not devoid of complications.

Migration of the chest tube into the esophagus in a case of Boerhaave's syndrome.

Boerhaave's syndrome is the spontaneous transmural rupture of the esophagus. Patients can have a variety of manifestations. Boerhaave's syndrome has to be considered in acutely ill patients with no other explanations for their illness. Computed tomography scan of the chest is emerging as a useful tool for the evaluation of these patients. Surgical repair is the standard of care. Adequate drainage of the pleural fluid is necessary to prevent pulmonary complications. Esophageal perforation should be considered whenever thoracostomy tube drainage assumes an enteric character. When inserting the chest tube for draining pleural fluid, the trochar should not be used because of potential injury to the already perforated esophagus. Posterior placement of the chest tube should be avoided because the tube may migrate into the perforated esophagus. Because of the high incidence of mortality, prompt suspicion, diagnosis, and management are warranted. A careful history, detailed review of the imaging, and a high index of suspicion are key for prompt diagnosis.

Management of late cervical esophageal perforation.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to identify different methods of treating late perforation of the cervical esophagus. METHODS: Ten late cervical esophageal perforations were caused by foreign bodies. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their diagnosis and treatment as follows: Group I: Cases with cervical abscess were drained by lateral cervical incision and primarily repaired, Group II: Cases with cervical abscess were drained by lateral cervical incision, and any foreign body granulomas found were removed, and Group III: Foreign bodies were removed. All cases were given broad-spectrum antibiotics and were prohibited from any oral food, except Case 5. RESULTS: All patients recovered without mortality and retained normal swallow function. The time for treatment in each group was different. CONCLUSION: The conservative management of removal of foreign body, prohibition of oral food and administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics is supported. Perforations with the presence of abscess can be surgically treated by debridement closure combined with strip muscle flap repair and irrigation drainage. Granuloma can be removed by lateral cervical incision and vacuum sealing drainage.

Esophageal perforation in children: a review of one institution's experience.

BACKGROUND: The current approach to esophageal perforation treatment in children has shifted towards conservative management. However, the consensus of what constitutes conservative management is unclear, with various therapies and protocols described, including the need for various decompression and drainage procedures. Our institution utilizes conservative management with minimal intervention guided by the patient's clinical course. The purpose of this study is to report our management and add to the growing evidence for conservative management of esophageal perforation in children. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with an ICD-9 diagnosis of esophageal perforation from January 1995 to July 2009. Patients with postoperative anastomotic leaks with drains in place were excluded, although patients with anastomotic leaks that were not controlled by drains were included. Data collected included patient demographics, etiology, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: Eight patients were identified who met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 28 mo (1 d-10 y), and the average time from causative event to diagnosis was 1.4 d (0-2 d). The etiology for esophageal perforation included esophagoscopy with dilation (n = 4), button battery ingestion (n = 1), coin ingestion (n = 1), nasogastric tube placement (n = 1), and leak after stricture resection (n = 1). All the patients were treated conservatively without primary surgery or thoracic drainage, and the mean time to perforation healing was 10.2 d (1-24 d). The average length of antibiotic therapy was 10 d (0-26 d). Enteral nutrition was utilized in five patients, and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was utilized in five patients. No patient developed a new-onset esophageal stricture. CONCLUSION: Conservative management, guided by the patient's clinical course, with antibiotics and nutritional support is a safe and effective treatment for esophageal perforations in children.

Management of hypopharyngeal and esophageal perforations in children: three case reports and a review of the literature.

We report 2 cases of pediatric hypopharyngeal perforation that occurred during endoscopy and 1 case of esophageal perforation that developed during nasogastric tube insertion at a tertiary care academic medical center. These cases were identified during a retrospective chart review. All 3 patients were treated with intravenous antibiotics and nasogastric tube feedings, and none experienced further sequelae. Perforations of the hypopharynx and esophagus in children during endoscopy or insertion of endotracheal and nasogastric tubes are not uncommon. Many affected children can be managed conservatively without surgical drainage, depending on the cause and specific location of the perforation and the timing of the diagnosis. We discuss the clinical criteria for various management options, and we offer an algorithm that outlines important clinical considerations in the decision-making process. Our aim in presenting these cases is to increase awa reness of the management options for children with hypopharyngeal and esophageal perforations and to demonstrate the effectiveness of nonsurgical management in selected cases.

[Epidural pneumatosis and spontaneous pneumomediastinum: differential diagnosis with respect to the Boerhaave syndrome]. / Epidurale Pneumatose und spontanes Pneumomediastinum--Differenzialdiagnose zum Boerhaave-Syndrom.

We report on the case of a 15-year-old female who developed a pneumomediastinum after heavy vomiting. A rupture of the esophagus (Boerhaave syndrome) was excluded. In the CT of the chest, air was detected in the mediastinum and in the epidural space (epidural pneumatosis). The patient recovered uneventfully with conservative treatment. Air in the epidural space, associated with spontaneous pneumomediastinum, is an extremely rare condition. The air in the spinal canal arrives by migration through the intervertebral foramina from the posterior mediastinum and neck, where the fascial barrier is missing. Therapy consists of symptomatic, conservative treatment.

Conservative management of esophageal perforation following obesity surgery

CONTEXT: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) is one of the several surgical techniques for treating patients with morbid obesity. Erosion and perforation in the gastric chamber caused by LASGB are rare complications that have already been described. There have not yet been any reports of perforation of the middle esophagus during this procedure. CASE REPORT: The authors describe the case of a patient who presented the complication of very extensive perforation of the middle third of the esophagus following LASGB. This was successfully managed using conservative treatment.

CONTEXTO: Banda gástrica laparoscópica ajustável de silicone (LASGB) é uma das várias técnicas cirúrgicas para o tratamento de pacientes com obesidade mórbida. A erosão e a perfuração para o interior da câmara gástrica causados pela LASGB são complicações raras já descritas. Não se encontram relatos de perfuração do esôfago médio durante esse procedimento. RELATO DE CASO: Descrevemos o caso de uma paciente que apresentou como complicação, uma perfuração extensa do esôfago médio após LASGB, submetida a tratamento conservador com sucesso absoluto.

Conservative management of a three-day-old esophageal perforation with feeding jejunostomy and prokinetic drug.

Spontaneous esophageal perforation is a well-recognized, life-threatening emergency. The spectrum of presentation is a major reason for errors in diagnosis and the failure to institute prompt and imminent management. A case of Boerhaave's syndrome, diagnosed and managed non-operatively in a tertiary center three days after tear, is described. The diagnosis was confirmed with a series of gastrograffin esophagograms which revealed a leak in the lower part of the esophagus, with hydropneumothorax.

Conservative management of esophageal perforation following obesity surgery.

CONTEXT: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) is one of the several surgical techniques for treating patients with morbid obesity. Erosion and perforation in the gastric chamber caused by LASGB are rare complications that have already been described. There have not yet been any reports of perforation of the middle esophagus during this procedure. CASE REPORT: The authors describe the case of a patient who presented the complication of very extensive perforation of the middle third of the esophagus following LASGB. This was successfully managed using conservative treatment.