Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in adults. Report of three cases

Abstract

Persistence of congenital bronchoesophageal fistulae into adulthood is rare. Three patients, one male and two female, of 52, 27 and 63 years of age, respectively, are reported. All three presented with chronic respiratory symptoms and coughing spells associated with ingestion. The barium swallow confirmed diagnoses. Treatment was surgical and consisted of excision of the fistulous tract, suture of the oesophageal and bronchial orifices and the interposition of a parietal pleura flap in two cases, and of biological glue in one. All three patients recovered and are free of symptoms.

Congenital Bronchoesophageal Fistula in an Adult

“…Type 4 (5%) : A fistula that runs into a sequestrated segment or lobe. The H-type fistula (Type 2) in which both the trachea and oesophagus remain patent may go undetected until adult life, despite the presence of long standing recurrent symptoms [3]. The main presenting symptoms are bouts of coughing after drinking (Ohno's sign) and recurrent respiratory infection as seen in our case [2].…”