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Case Reports
. 2011 Jun;17(6):CS66-9.
doi: 10.12659/msm.881797.

T cell lymphoma presenting as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula

Mala Sharma  1 , Wilbert S Aronow, Miechelle O'Brien, Kaushang Gandhi, Harshad Amin, Harit Desai
Affiliations
Case Reports

T cell lymphoma presenting as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula

Mala Sharma et al. Med Sci Monit. 2011 Jun.

Abstract

Background: The mediastinum is an uncommon location for presentation of peripheral T cell lymphoma. Esophageal involvement by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is extremely unusual. Although staging can be performed with routine imaging studies, surgical intervention is often required to ensure accurate histologic diagnosis of these lymphomas. Peripheral T cell lymphomas not otherwise specified are among the most aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphomas with often a poor response to conventional chemotherapy.

Case report: We report a case of a 63 year-old-man with an aggressive mediastinal T cell lymphoma presenting as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula. The patient was treated with a cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone (COP) regimen. Repeat computer tomography scan of the chest after chemotherapy noted a significant decrease in the cavitary lesion in the right paraesophageal region and right mediastinum. Bronchoscopy revealed a large opening in the posterior wall of the bronchus intermedius leading into the esophagus. A fistulogram was done which clearly demonstrated a fistulous tract between the lower esophagus and the right intermediate bronchus secondary to perforation from the lymphoma. The patient eventually underwent cervical esophagostomy and jejunostomy tube placement to correct the brochoesophageal fistula.

Conclusions: The mediastinum is an uncommon location for presentation of peripheral T cell lymphomas, and surgical intervention is often required to ensure accurate histological diagnosis of these lymphomas. In our patient, aggressive mediastinal T cell lymphoma presented as esophageal obstruction and bronchoesophageal fistula.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Chest roentgenogram shows confluent opacity in the mediastinum.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Computer tomography (CT) scan of the chest reveals a 4.6 times 3.1 cm cavity adjacent to the esophagus with a fistulous connection between the necrotic cavity and the right main bronchus.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Fistulous connection between the necrotic cavity and the right main bronchus.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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