Hostname: page-component-84b7d79bbc-7nlkj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-07-25T15:04:55.316Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Tracheocarotid artery fistula infected with methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

M. F. Tungekar
M. F. Tungekar*
Affiliation:
Department of Histopathology, St Thomas' Hospital, (United Medical and Dental School), London, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr M. F. Tungekar, Histopathology Department, Second Floor, North Wing, St Thomas' Hospital, Lambeth Palace Road, London SE1 7EH
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Massive life-threatening haemorrhage from a fistula between the trachea and a major blood vessel of the neck is a rare complication of the tracheostomy procedure, well-recognized by anaesthetists and otolaryngologists. Although the lesion is likely to be encountered at autopsy, it is not described in histopathological literature. The possible causes are discussed together with the macroscopic and microscopic appearances of the lesion. Suitable procedures for its identification and for obtaining appropriate histopathological blocks are suggested. Presence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has not been documented before and might have contributed to the genesis of the fistula in this case.

Keywords

FistulaHaemorrhageTracheostomyStaphylococcus infectionsMethicillin resistance
Type
Pathology in Focus
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 113 , Issue 7 , July 1999 , pp. 689 - 691
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1999

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Billy, M. L., Snow, N. J., Haug, R. H. (1994) Tracheocarotid fistula with life-threatening hemorrhage: report of case. Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 52: 1331–1334.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Carson, L., Stransky, R. (1994) A 75-year-old woman with tracheostomy site bleeding. Journal of Emergency Nursing 20: 79–80.Google ScholarPubMed
Humphreys, H., Duckworth, G. (1997) Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) – a reappraisal of control measures in the light of changing circumstances. [Review]. Journal of Hospital Infection 36: 167–170.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jones, J. W., Reynolds, M., Hewitt, R. L., Drapanas, T. (1976) Tracheo-innominate artery erosion: Successful surgical management of a devastating complication. Annals of Surgery 184: 194–204.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Keceligil, H. T., Erk, M. K., Kolbakir, F., Yildirim, A., Yilman, M., Unal, R. (1995) Tracheoinnominate artery fistula following tracheostomy. Cardiovascular Surgery 3: 509–510.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, C. D. (1996) Management of tracheoinnominate artery fistula. [Review]. Chest Surgery Clinics of North America 6: 865–873.Google ScholarPubMed