title: Delayed presentation of a tracheoesophageal fistula after blunt chest trauma.
abstract: Traumatic tracheoesophageal fistula is an uncommon injury after blunt chest injury. Rapid deceleration against the steering wheel during a high-speed motor vehicle crash is the usual mechanism of injury. Previous reports document few cases of delayed diagnosis and repair of tracheoesophageal fistula. We report a case of delayed diagnosis of tracheoesophageal fistula more than 20 years after the original trauma and describe the subsequent operative repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin Hospital, Madison 53792, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schurr
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Pellett
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors; D014138:Tracheoesophageal Fistula / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications*