Incidentally Diagnosed Esophago-Pulmonary Fistula on 18F-FDG PET/CT in a Case of Carcinoma Esophagus

Abstract

Esophago-pulmonary fistulas are very less reported in literature. 18F-FDG PET/CT scan is routinely used for evaluation of patients of carcinoma esophagus. We present a case of carcinoma esophagus with acquired esophago-pulmonary fistula diagnosed on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan.

A Case of Esophago-Pulmonary Artery Fistula Caused by Fish Bone Impaction

“…Reports of esophago-pulmonary artery fistulas without involvement of the trachea or bronchi are rare (1). Clinically, these cases often present with nonspecific symptoms such as chronic cough, recurrent lung infections and hemoptysis, resulting in delayed diagnosis (2). In this particular case, the patient's condition rapidly progressed following fish bone penetration through the esophageal wall, manifesting symptoms of infection and gastrointestinal bleeding.…”

“…1) reported a case of esophago-pulmonary artery fistula that resulted in a lung abscess, which showed a positive response following alleviation treatment involving the placement of a self-expandable esophageal stent and drainage of the abscess. Ravina et al (2) described a case of esophago-pulmonary artery fistula complicated by pneumothorax, where the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated and led to fatality. In our case, the patient underwent endoscopic removal of the foreign body and received systemic antibiotic treatment.…”

Enterovesical Fistula in a Lymphoma Patient Revealed by FDG PET/CT With an Oral Contrast Agents

“…Enterovesical fistula as a rare complication typically arises from diverticular disease, Crohn disease, colon malignancy, radiotherapy, or trauma 1,2 . The imaging features of enterovesical fistula as well as other fistulas including gastrosplenic fistula, 3 vesicovaginal fistula, 4 and esophagopulmonary fistula 5 have been reported in previous FDG PET/CT studies. To clearly describe the presence of enterovesical fistula, several techniques such as early dynamic scanning, 6 diuresis, 7 or intravenous contrast 8 have been used.…”