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Fatal aortic oesophageal fistula following oesophageal foreign body removal in a dog
Author(s) -
Keir I.,
Woolford L.,
Hirst C.,
Adamantos S.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.2010.01012.x
Subject(s) - medicine , foreign body , fistula , foreign bodies , surgery , general surgery
An eight‐month‐old male Pomeranian was presented with hypovolaemic shock 7 days after successful oesophageal foreign body removal. On presentation the dog was anaemic and no coagulation abnormalities were detected. A fluid‐filled oesophagus was visible on thoracic radiography and frank blood was aspirated from the oesophagus following oro‐oesophageal intubation. Fluid resuscitation and blood transfusions were administered but attempts at stabilisation were unsuccessful and the dog died. At post‐mortem examination, a 2‐mm aortic oesophageal fistula was identified on the ventral aspect of the aorta at the level of heart base that communicated with the overlying oesophagus. Aortic oesophageal fistula has been reported in human medicine and occurs secondary to a number of conditions including oesophageal foreign bodies. These prove fatal without rapid stabilisation and surgery.