Congenital Oesophago-Bronchial Fistula in an Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

A report of a rare case of benign oesophagobronchial fistula is presented, in a 56-year-old woman with a 40-year history of recurrent pleuritis, haemoptysis and chronic debilitating pulmonary suppuration. The diagnosis was established by oesophagography, a resection of the fistula and lower right lobe was made without complications, recovery was uneventful and the patient is in good health 17 years postoperatively. Oesophagography and, if necessary, bronchography should be performed routinely when evaluating cases of chronic pulmonary suppuration, particularly those of obscure aetiology, even when the symptoms are not accentuated while swallowing.