ESOPHAGOPERICARDIAL FISTULA - AN UNUSUAL CAUSE OF SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH

Esophagopericardial fistula is a rare entity, usually associated with benign esophageal disorders. Clinically they present as an acute illne ss associated with characteristic clinical findings and have an extrem ely high mortality rate. A case of a chronic esophagopericardial fistu la is presented in an individual who remained asymptomatic and present ed as a sudden unexpected death secondary to cardiac tamponade from re fluxed gastric contents.