SPONDYLODISCITIS AND MEDIASTINITIS AFTER ESOPHAGEAL-PERFORATION OWINGTO A SWALLOWED RADIOLUCENT FOREIGN-BODY

A 6-year-old boy with aphagia presented with a radiolucent foreign bod y, esophageal perforation, mediastinitis, and a C6-C7 spondylodiscitis . A rigid plastic gear wheel was removed via thoracotomy, and the medi astinal abscess was drained through the esophagomediastinal fistula. T reatment included antibiotics as well as nonsurgical orthopedic manage ment of the spondylodiscitis. The recovery period was uneventful, and the patient has remained asymptomatic for 2 years. Physicians must be aware of radiolucent foreign bodies. Computed tomography is very helpf ul in establishing the diagnosis of radiolucent foreign body, mediasti nal abscess, and spondylodiscitis. (C) 1996 by W.B. Saunders Company