Cardiac tamponade, an unusual and fatal complication of esophagus dilatation for benign stenosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: We present a patient with a fatal late esophago-pericardial fistula three months after dilatation for benign oesophagus stenosis CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old caucasian male with a known benign esophagus stenosis was referred to the ICU. On arrival an asystole developed which proved to be due to a large pericardial effusion. Pericardial fluids were drained, but the patients' condition worsened and he died due to multiple organ failure. Postmortum investigation revealed an esophago-pericardial fistula. CONCLUSION: Causes of an acute tamponade should also be sought in semirecent events, such as manipulation to the oesophagus months before the acute critical illness.