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Rupture of Ascending Aorta Secondary to Esophageal Perforation by Fish Bone
Author(s) -
Macchi Veronica,
Porzionato Andrea,
Bardini Romeo,
Parenti Anna,
De Caro Raffaele
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00815.x
Subject(s) - fish bone , ascending aorta , perforation , medicine , fish <actinopterygii> , surgery , anatomy , aorta , fishery , biology , materials science , composite material , punching
Perforations of both esophagus and aorta after swallowing foreign bodies have been described, with aorto‐esophageal fistulas at the level of the descending aorta or aortic arch. We present the case of a 48‐year‐old man with esophageal perforation by fish bone, mediastinitis, and evidence of perforation of the ascending aorta during surgical drainage of the mediastinum. At autopsy, a fish bone was found under the aortic arch. Serial histological macrosections of the mediastinic block allowed reconstruction of the type of injury suffered and a thorough analysis of mediastinic structures, with preservation of topographic relationships. Direct demonstration of the perforation of the posterior wall of ascending aorta was provided. Histological examination ascribed aortic perforation to migration of the fish bone and direct injury. This is the first anatomical and pathological study of an autopsy case of perforation of the ascending aorta by fish bone.