Nontraumatic Thoracic Emergencies

Spontaneous circumferential intramural esophageal dissection complicated with esophageal perforation and esophageal-pleural fistula: a case report and literature review

Spontaneous intramural esophageal dissection (IED) is a rare disease entity. There are few reports of spontaneous IED requiring surgical treatment. Hereby, we report a 37-year-old gentleman who was diagnosed to have spontaneous extensive circumferential IED complicated with esophageal perforation, empyema, and esophageal-pleural fistula. Esophageal stenting and drainage of empyema were unsuccessful. Computed tomography and gastrografin contrast swallow demonstrated a leak to the pleural cavity, suggestive of esophageal-pleural fistula. Subsequently, a two-stage operation was performed: cervical esophagogastrostomy to bypass the perforated esophagus, followed by esophagectomy and decortication of the right lung. The patient recovered and was discharged home after a 3-week hospitalization. The management principles and recent published literature related to IED were reviewed.

Diagnostic errors in the evaluation of nontraumatic aortic emergencies

Nontraumatic aortic emergencies (NTAE) are a complex and dynamic group of serious, potentially fatal conditions affecting the aorta. These entities most often present in the emergency department setting, and include aortic dissection, intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer, as well as aortic rupture and impending rupture. The radiologist plays a critical role in prompt diagnosis and evaluation since presenting signs and symptoms are often nonspecific. This article focuses on the potential sources of error in the imaging evaluation of patients presenting with NTAE.

Nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies in adults: a comprehensive review of imaging findings

Given their high frequency, mediastinal emergencies are often perceived as being a result of external trauma or vascular conditions. However, there is a group of nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies that are less common in clinical practice, are less recognized, and that represent an important source of morbidity and mortality in patients. Nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies have several causes and result from different pathophysiologic mechanisms including infection, internal trauma, malignancy, and postoperative complications, and some may be idiopathic. Some conditions that lead to nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies include acute mediastinitis; esophageal emergencies such as intramural hematoma of the esophagus, Boerhaave syndrome, and acquired esophagorespiratory fistulas; spontaneous mediastinal hematoma; tension pneumomediastinum; and tension pneumopericardium. Although clinical findings of nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies may be nonspecific, imaging findings are often definitive. Awareness of various nonvascular, nontraumatic mediastinal emergencies and their clinical manifestations and imaging findings is crucial for making an accurate and timely diagnosis to facilitate appropriate patient management.