In 1953 a right pneumonectomy was performed on a 40-year-old woman for recurrent haemorrhage from a tuberculous lung. At thoracotomy a calcified mass was found near the right hilum which required extensive dissection, and several ligatures were placed near the oesophagus. There was postoperative fever and on the 28th day an oesophagopleural fistula was shown by a barium swallow; this was treated by drainage of the cavity for six months. The patient's general condition improved although the fistula persisted. In 1965 the patient was admitted to this hospital for the first time. She gave a history of intermittent fever and had recently noted an unpleasant taste and smell. A chest radiograph showed an air bubble in the right hemithorax and a barium swallow showed that the oesophagus was displaced *JS died 14.12.77.
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