Tracheoinnominate artery fistula as a complication of radiation therapy.
Tracheoinnominate artery fistulization is a well-known complication of tracheostomy and of tracheal resection. The first known occurrence of this problem in a patient in whom no transtracheal procedure had ever been performed is reported, and high-dose radiation therapy delivered three years before for a mediastinal malignancy is suggested as the cause. No evidence of tumor was found in or adjacent to the tracheovascular communication. The tracheoinnominate artery fistula must be considered a potential complication of radiation therapy as well as of surgery.
D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000528:radiation effects; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000528:radiation effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk; D014132:Trachea / Q000528:radiation effects; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology