Esophagopericardial fistula as a rare complication after total gastrectomy for cancer

Abstract

Background: Esophagopericardial fistula is a rare but life-threatening complication of benign, malignant or traumatic esophageal disease. It is most commonly associated with benign etiology and carries a high mortality rate which increases with delay in diagnosis. Case presentation: We present a case of an esophagopericardial fistula as a rare complication in a 53-year-old male patient, 7 months after total gastrectomy for an adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction. Conclusion: The prognosis of esophagopericardial fistula is poor, especially when it is associated with malignancy. © 2009 Dafnios et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.