Delayed aortoesophageal and tracheoesophageal fistulas secondary to foreign body ingestion: a case report

Abstract

Ingestion of a foreign body (FB) is a common condition with a few potentially life-threatening complications, including esophageal perforation (EP), aortoesophageal fistula (AEF), mediastinal infection, and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). In this case, a patient who accidentally ingested a duck bone gradually experienced all of the above complications. To resolve the symptom of difficulty swallowing, the patient underwent emergency treatment for removal of the esophageal FB via endoscopic surgery. Under endoscopy, esophageal mucosal injuries were present, but no other abnormalities, such as active bleeding, were observed. However, the patient returned to our hospital a week later with symptoms of vomiting and black stool and received the diagnosis of EP, AEF and mediastinal infection. Two days later, he vomited 1,000-2,000 mL of blood after experiencing sudden severe chest pain. Then, thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and mediastinal drainage with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) were performed under emergency general anesthesia. Additionally, the patient underwent esophageal stent implantation when TEF was confirmed by tracheal computed tomography (CT). The patient was treated with anti-infective therapy throughout the treatment process. Finally, he recovered and was able to tolerate a liquid diet. Comprehensive evaluation and multidisciplinary cooperation are all very important for the treatment of esophageal foreign bodies and complications.

Keywords: Aortoesophageal fistula (AEF); case report; tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF).