title: Congenital oesophageal respiratory tract fistula presenting in adult life.
abstract: Congenital oesophageal respiratory tract fistula presenting in adult life is rare. A tracheo-oesophageal and a broncho-oesophageal fistula presenting in a 22 year old female and 68 year male, respectively, are described. In both, symptoms of chronic recurrent pulmonary suppuration were initially attributed to alternative aetiologies, resulting in diagnostic delay and inappropriate management. Correct diagnosis was established by flexible bronchoscopy and oesophageal contrast studies. Surgical division of fistulae resulted in complete symptom resolution.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Danton
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMahon
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McGuigan
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gibbons
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000151:congenital* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery