A Rare Case of an Esophageal-Pericardial Fistula With Large Pericardial Effusion and Pyopneumopericardium in the Setting of Gastric Adenocarcinoma

TL;DR

A rare case of an esophageal-pericardial fistula caused by gastric cancer is reported, leading to severe heart complications.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel clinical case of EPF arising from gastric adenocarcinoma, highlighting its rare and severe complications.

Findings

An 86-year-old male with gastric adenocarcinoma developed an EPF with large pericardial effusion and transient tamponade.

CT esophagram and echocardiography confirmed the fistula and its cardiac complications.

The case underscores the rare but life-threatening nature of EPF in gastric cancer patients.

Abstract

An esophageal-pericardial fistula (EPF) is a rare, life-threatening complication of esophageal disease, most commonly occurring due to esophageal carcinoma. It can result in pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, and air in the pericardium or cardiac chambers, further complicating the clinical course. An EPF usually occurs in esophageal-related cancers and, less commonly, gastric-related cancers. This study presents a case of an EPF in an 86-year-old male with adenocarcinoma of the gastric cardia, complicated by a large pericardial effusion with transient tamponade physiology. Imaging, such as a CT esophagram, confirmed tract communication, and supportive imaging, such as echocardiograms, confirmed complications.

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