Intramural Esophageal Abscess Complicated with Pleural Fistula: A Case Report

Abstract

Intramural esophageal abscess is a rare entity caused by mucosal injury to the esophagus but without transmural perforation. The mucosal disruption provides access to the intraluminal infectious contents to traverse into the loose submucosal tissue, resulting in an intramural abscess. It is important to be well-versed in the clinical and imaging findings of this pathology in order to make a timely diagnosis. Here, we present a case of intramural esophageal abscess complicated with a pleural fistula with a focus on the radiological features of this rare entity. To our knowledge, this is the first time that an esophageal intramural abscess complicated with pleural fistula is discussed in peer-reviewed literature.

Diagnostic Dilemma: Infective Endocarditis in the Setting of an Esophageal Abscess

“…An intramural esophageal abscess is rare and typically develops secondary to esophageal mucosal injury [1]. Injury is usually traumatic, secondary to foreign bodies or instrumentation [2,3].…”