Late Epiphrenic-Retroperitoneal Fistula of an Esophageal Diverticulum Ten Years after Surgical Excision: Report of the First Case

Background: Esophageal fistula is a rare complication of an epiphrenic diverticulum and represents a difficult diagnostic challenge. In the majority of cases in the English literature, the fistula is secondary to the spontaneous perforation of the epiphrenic diverticulum and in only one case an esophagobronchial fistula occurs after resection of an epiphrenic diverticulum. No case of esophageal fistula communicating with the retroperitoneum tissues was found. Case Report: We present a case of 84 years old male admitted in 2017 in our Hospital for the appearance of epigastralgia and cough with traces of blood to sputum, asthenia and night sweats. Ten years before he underwent to a hiatal hernia plastic sec. Nissen and subsequently was reoperated for exeresis of diverticulum of the distal third of the esophagus by thoracotomy. In August 2008, because of esophageal substenosis an operation of posterior gastropexy sec. Hill with the demolition of the previous hiatoplasty was performed. In 2017, a computerized tomography shows a voluminous abscess in the right paravertebral region with development along the muscular plane of the ipsilateral psoas and a fistular path of about 4 cm between the posterior wall of the esophagus and the retroperitoneal collection of the abdomen. Conclusions: Esophageal fistula represents a complex problem of epiphrenic diverticulum and rarely a hidden complication of surgery. Surgery is the treatment of choice in suitable patients.