Piercing the left lung with a pacemaker lead, an uncommon complication.

Although percutaneous insertion of pacemaker leads is a simple and safe method, it remains a procedure with a relatively high complication rate. We describe an uncommon and avoidable complication of this technique: piercing the lung with a pacemaker lead in an obese patient after direct puncture of the subclavian vein.

[Acute transit symptoms caused by spontaneous rupture of the esophagus]. / Acute passageklachten veroorzaakt door een spontane intramurale ruptuur van de oesofagus.

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with acute severe chest pain and dysphagia, without an assignable cause. Radiological investigation of the oesophagus with water soluble contrast revealed an intramural rupture. Conservative management led to complete recovery within eight days. Spontaneous intramural rupture of the oesophagus is a very uncommon disease requiring adequate differentiation from other more serious diseases in order to apply correct therapy.