[Lung abscess resulting from esophageal carcinoma successfully treated with intraesophageal covered self-expandable metallic stent].

An 82-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with high fever and back pain. He already suffered from esophageal carcinoma and expandable metallic stent had been inserted because of esophageal stenosis. A chest x-ray film obtained on admission showed infiltrative shadows in the right lower lung filled. The diagnosis of lung abscess was made on the basis of aspirate findings. Despite closed drainage, antibiotic treatment, and fasting therapy, progressive pulmonary infiltrates developed. Esophagography and esophagoscopy revealed that an esophageal fistula due to an advanced esophageal carcinoma had caused the lung abscess. An additional covered self-expandable metallic stent (EMS) was placed on the surface of the esophageal carcinoma, close to the esophageal fistula. This promptly resolved the lung abscess. Our conclusion was that the covered-EMS can be effective for the palliation of esophagorespiratory fistulas.