Esophageal rupture complicated by acute pericarditis

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Esophageal perforation, though rare, carries a high mortality rate.
• Delayed diagnosis of esophageal perforation can lead to severe complications like mediastinitis and pericarditis.
• Foreign body aspiration is an uncommon cause of esophageal perforation.

Observation:

• A 59-year-old male presented with symptoms initially diagnosed as acute non-specific pericarditis.
• The patient had a history of ingesting a chicken bone.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with a complicated esophageal perforation.
• The esophageal perforation was attributed to the ingested chicken bone.
• Acute pericarditis was the presenting sign of the esophageal perforation.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of considering esophageal perforation in patients presenting with pericarditis, especially after potential foreign body ingestion.
• Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications.
• Physicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for esophageal perforation even with atypical initial presentations.