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Pneumatic-aorta: an unusual aetiology for stroke
Khurum Mazhar1, Aditya Narain1, Saifullah Mohamed1
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Stoke University Hospital, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.
Journal of Surgical Case Reports
|July 16, 2020
Summary
Air in the aorta caused a stroke in a patient with esophageal cancer. This rare complication, an oesophago-atrial fistula, led to fatal cerebral emboli despite treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Aspiration of air into the circulatory system can lead to serious complications.
- Distal esophageal cancer can rarely present with unusual fistulous connections.
Observation:
- A patient with distal esophageal cancer developed a right-sided stroke.
- Computed tomography revealed air in the aorta and brachiocephalic artery, indicative of an oesophago-atrial fistula.
Findings:
- The patient's stroke was caused by cerebral emboli originating from air within the aorta.
- Despite interventions to dissipate the air, the patient's condition worsened.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but critical complication of distal esophageal cancer.
- Prompt identification and management of the underlying cause are crucial, though outcomes remain poor.
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