Computed tomography of mediastinal abscess secondary to post-traumatic esophageal laceration

Esophageal laceration resulting in mediastinitis or mediastinal abscess is an uncommon, but clinically significant, complication of chest trauma. Following a normal arch aortogram, CT demonstrated bilateral upper mediastinal air fluid collections in a post-trauma patient with mediastinal widening. Suspected mediastinal abscesses secondary to esophageal laceration were subsequently confirmed by esophagography and at thoracotomy.