Left subclavian arterioesophageal fistula induced by a foreign body.

ABSTRACT

A left subclavian arterioesophageal fistula was diagnosed in a 35-year-old man at exploratory thoracotomy for suspected aortoesophageal fistula. After successful closure of the arterial fistula the patient developed a mediastinal abscess and esophagopleural fistula. The latter was successfully managed by retrosternal jejunal esophagoplasty followed by excision of the thoracic esophagus. This report documents a case of left subclavian arterioesophageal fistula and illustrates the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention of arterial perforation secondary to a foreign body in the esophagus.