Pharyngo-oesophageal fistula as a consequence of nasogastric tube placement

Abstract

Complications associated with nasogastric tube placement are infrequent and usually not severe. This article details a case of a pharyngo-oesophageal fistula in a 6-year-old Arabian racing gelding initially presenting with recurrent oesophageal obstruction and dysphagia 5 months after recovering from a medically treated colic. Initially, a suspected diverticulum was diagnosed using a combination of endoscopic examinations and barium-contrast radiography. Its occurrence was believed to be secondary to a pharyngeal abscess occurring as a consequence of repeated or long-term nasogastric tube placement during the previous treatment for colic. Continuing, and unresolvable, oesophageal obstruction and dysphagia resulted in the gelding being euthanised. Post-mortem examination revealed the presence of a pharyngo-oesophageal fistula.