A Creeping Malaise Leading to Calamity: Herpes Esophagitis Perforation

Ann Thorac Surg. 2020 May;109(5):e339-e341. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2019.08.109. Epub 2019 Oct 8.

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus is an uncommon cause of esophagitis and particularly so in immunocompetent individuals. Although the common presentation tends to be odynophagia and/or dysphagia, fever, and retrosternal chest pain, there are variations and rarely it can present more ominously as esophageal rupture. We report a rare case of esophageal perforation with penetration into the vertebral space secondary to chronic herpes simplex virus esophagitis in a 71-year-old immunocompetent woman. This is the second known such occurrence. The patient had a long stay in the hospital but recovered from the condition and was followed up for 1 year after initial presentation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bronchial Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Fistula / etiology
  • Bronchial Fistula / surgery
  • Chronic Disease
  • Endoscopy, Digestive System
  • Esophageal Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Esophageal Fistula / etiology
  • Esophageal Fistula / surgery
  • Esophageal Perforation / diagnostic imaging
  • Esophageal Perforation / etiology*
  • Esophageal Perforation / surgery*
  • Esophagitis / complications*
  • Esophagitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Esophagitis / surgery*
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / diagnostic imaging
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / etiology
  • Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / surgery
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Herpes Simplex / complications*
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnostic imaging
  • Herpes Simplex / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay
  • Stents
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed