Pharyngo‐oesophageal fistula as a consequence of nasogastric tube placement

Summary 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.