Perforation of the esophagus by a fish bone leading to cardiac tamponade

Ann Thorac Surg. 1993 Oct;56(4):969-71. doi: 10.1016/0003-4975(93)90368-r.

Abstract

A 32-year-old woman swallowed a fish bone and presented to the hospital 3 days later with chest pain and fever. While in the hospital, she became hypotensive. A computed tomographic scan showed a fish bone penetrating from the esophagus into the pericardium. The fish bone was removed at urgent thoracotomy with immediate relief of her circulatory compromise. At the time of the operation, the fish bone was noted to be abrading the surface of the left atrium. We report this case of cardiac tamponade secondary to a perforated esophagus after foreign body ingestion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiac Tamponade / etiology*
  • Esophageal Perforation / complications*
  • Esophageal Perforation / etiology*
  • Esophageal Perforation / surgery
  • Esophagus*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / complications*
  • Foreign-Body Migration / complications
  • Humans
  • Seafood