Esophageal fistula complicating mediastinal histoplasmosis. Response to amphotericin B

A 41-year-old man was admitted for evaluation of hemoptysis, dysphagia, and pleuritic chest pain associated with a mediastinal mass. Esophagography demonstrated a fistula between the mass and the esophagus. Results of histoplasmosis complement fixation serologic testing suggested an active infection. A methenamine silver stain of a lymph node obtained at mediastinoscopy revealed Histoplasmosis capsulatum. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B. This is believed to be the first reported case of an esophageal fistula as a complication of mediastinal histoplasmosis successfully treated with amphotericin B.