[A case of pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus disease complicated with esophago-pulmonary fistula causing repeated exacerbation].
We report a case of fatal pulmonary infection caused by Mycobacterium abscessus in a middle-aged patient with acquired esophago-pulmonary fistula which contributed to repeated exacerbation. Acquired benign esophago-pulmonary fistula is uncommon. After a 55-year-old woman was diagnosed with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium disease in 1989 and improved with multidrug chemotherapy, she developed pulmonary M. abscessus in 2001. Despite multi-drug treatment, she suffered repeated exacerbation and her condition gradually deteriorated. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed esophago-pulmonary fistula which was comfermed by esophagoscopy. An M. abscess infection may give rise to adhesions between the tracheobronchial lymph nodes and the neighboring esophagus, with subsequent development of a traction diverticulum which may extend to the tracheobronchial tree. In the present case, aspiration of liquids through the fistula induced a cough reflex, and M. abscessus spread through the airway. It might be possible that esophago-pulmonary fistula is not only a complication of pulmonary M. abscessus infection but also an exacerbation factor.
Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Hospital Organization, Ibarakihigashi National Hospital.
Nariaki
N
Kokuho
Hiroki
H
Hayashi
Masashi
M
Matsuyama
Yukiko
Y
Miura
Kenji
K
Hayashihara
Takefumi
T
Saito
D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016156:Respiratory Tract Fistula / Q000150:complications*; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000150:complications*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications*