Anaerobic mediastinitis and septic shock secondary to esophageal perforation.

The authors report unusual complications arising from the ingestion of a small fish bone by a 68-year-old man. These included mediastinitis, empyema, pericarditis and septic shock, probably secondary to a small perforation of the esophagus. After appropriate surgical drainage, antibiotic therapy and supportive therapy the patient made a good recovery.