title: Aspiration via congenital broncho-esophageal fistula after lobectomy.
abstract: Aspiration via a congenital broncho-esophageal fistula in an adult thoracotomy patient has not been previously reported. Repeated aspiration and subsequent respiratory failure if the fistula is not recognized could be life-threatening in these postoperative patients. We describe one such critical case, in which a broncho-esophageal fistula was discovered weeks after aspiration and the onset of respiratory failure after left lower lobectomy. This unusual case suggests that repeated localized pulmonary infections can indicate a broncho-esophageal fistula and that further investigations should be performed, including detailed history.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Xue-Fei
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital*; D001987:Bronchiectasis / Q000601:surgery*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004937:Esophageal Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed