Nouel O, Rouanet J P, Lichtenstein H, Bloch P, Cugnenc P H, Monnier J P
J Radiol Electrol Med Nucl. 1978 Feb;59(2):113-8.
The authors report on a survey of perforation following fibroscopy in the Hôpital Saint-Antoine. A total of 10,600 diagnostic examinations were reviewed and 5 perforations were recorded, to which must be added 2 perforations following oesophageal dilatation. A chesy X-ray, taken within 24 hours of the incident, showed, in most cases, the presence of air in the mediastinum with early signs of subcutaneous emphysema in the cervical or cervicothoracic regions. A hydro-pneumothorax in the right side of the chest was also observed in the cases studied, without air in the mediastinum. Oesophageal transit was studied by means of a water-soluble compound, and showed oesophageal effraction in only 4 cases, and in 3 of these cases it was possible to see the location of the orifice with precision.
