Tracheoesophageal fistula: a serious complication of infectious esophagitis.
Infections of the esophagus are common in individuals with altered immune status. A review of the literature reveals that, in such patients, fungal organisms, particularly Candida and Aspergillus, can invade deeply into esophageal muscle. We report the development of a tracheoesophageal fistula following polymicrobial infectious esophagitis. This case, of a young woman with leukemia, emphasizes the need for early recognition and aggressive treatment of esophageal infections.
D000328:Adult; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000150:complications; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D015470:Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / Q000150:complications; D011859:Radiography; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000209:etiology*