[An adult congenital bronchoesophageal fistula with massive hemoptysis; report of a case]

Abstract

A 67-year-old female was referred to our hospital because of bronchoesophageal fistula detected by upper gastro-intestinal series for cancer screening. The patient has had a history of coughing on liquid ingestion since childhood and she has been hospitalized 4 times for treatment of pneumonia during the past 20 years. While waiting the treatment, she was emergently admitted to the hospital because of massive hemoptysis. Transcatheter embolization of feeding arteries including the right inferior phrenic artery successfully controlled her hemoptysis. After reembolization of the feeding arteries for preventing massive hemorrhage during operation, posterolateral thoracotomy was performed. Surgical findings disclosed the bronchoesophageal fistula without inflammatory changes. She underwent fistulectomy combined resection of the middle and lower lobes which were destroyed by the repeated pneumonia. This case was considered type I congenital bronchoesophageal fistula according to Braimbridge and Keith classification because of the presence of diverticular projection which connected to the bronchus. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are thought to be important for treating this disease.