A case of multiple abscesses caused by Mycobacterium mageritense 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 Mycobacterium mageritense 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 M. mageritense. In patients with unexplained postoperative symptoms, consideration of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections may be important.