A case of multiple abscesses caused by <i>Mycobacterium mageritense</i> after salvage esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

A 54-year-old Japanese male, previously diagnosed with esophageal cancer (cT1N1M0, cStage I), underwent robot-assisted thoracoscopic subtotal salvage esophagectomy to achieve non-CR after chemoradiation. On the 65th postoperative day, the patient experienced persistent fever and elevated C-reactive protein levels with an unclear cause. A computed tomography scan revealed multiple abscesses throughout the body, including in the dorsal trachea. Drainage treatment was performed, and <i>Mycobacterium mageritense</i> was identified in mycobacterial cultures. The patient responded well to treatment with amikacin, imipenem/cilastatin, linezolid, and levofloxacin. Postoperative infections following esophagectomy are often caused by oral bacteria, such as Streptococcus species. This report highlights a rare case of a post-salvage esophagectomy patient who developed multiple abscesses due to <i>M. mageritense</i>. In patients with unexplained postoperative symptoms, consideration of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections may be important.