Aortoesophageal fistula after reconstruction of the thoracic spine

Aortoesophageal fistula is a rare complication after neurosurgical repair of the thoracic spine. We report an instance of a lethal aortoesophageal fistula caused by a pseudoaneurysm that developed after long contact between the prosthetic material from a spinal reconstruction procedure and the thoracic aorta. Pathologic examination showed that the mesh formed the roof of the pseudoaneurysm and was the most probable cause of the lesion.