Posterior mediastinal abscess secondary to esophageal perforation following fish bone ingestion

Abstract

Accidental swallowing of fish bone, which arrested in esophagus, is fairly common. However the incidence of esophageal perforation due to fish bone swallowing is low. Delayed posterior mediastinal abscess as a result of the esophageal perforation is a rare manifestation and may lead to fatal outcome. Two cases of delayed formation of posterior mediastinal abscess following esophageal perforation due to accidental fish bone ingestion are described here. In these cases patients presented with interscapular back pain. In one of the cases the patient died because of the presentation was misdiagnosed hence leading to delay in the intervention. Radiological findings and surgical management namely esophagoscopy and neck exploration are briefly described.