Innominate artery fistula caused by laryngectomy tube.
The patient described illustrates the rare but devastating complication resulting from indwelling tracheal tubes. The innominate artery erosion by the laryngectomy tube in this patient appears pathophysiologically identical to erosion by the tracheostomy tube after routine tracheostomy in other reported cases.
D016122:Brachiocephalic Trunk / Q000473:pathology; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007825:Laryngectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology