Table 10.

Advice table for the use of CT and MR in the diagnosis and management of esophageal perforation

Advice for the use of CT and MR in the diagnosis and management of oesophageal perforation	Strength of advice	Imaging modality	CT specifications	MR specifications
(1) Early CT of the chest (including i.v. and po water-soluble contrast medium) is advised to diagnose or exclude oesophageal perforation in symptomatic patients within 6 weeks after AF ablation suspected to have oesophageal complications		Chest CT	i.v. arterial phase contrast, po water-soluble contrast medium
(2) Early imaging of the brain is advised in patients with atrio-oesophageal fistula and concomitant neurological symptoms to assess severity of brain damage and determine prognosis		CMR or CCT
(3) No manipulation of the oesophagus including oesophagogastroscopy or TOE is advised to prevent embolization of air and ingested material in patients with clinical suspicion before oesophageal perforation is excluded

AF, atrial fibrillation; CCT, cardiac computed tomography; CMR, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; CT, computed tomography; MR, magnetic resonance; PV, pulmonary vein; TOE, transoesophageal echocardiography.