Broncho-esophageal fistula
Broncho-esophageal fistula (BOF) refers to abnormal communication between a bronchus and the esophagus.
For congenital fistulas, please refer to the article on congenital tracheo-esophageal fistula.
On this page:
Clinical presentation
A small proportion of patient with congenital forms may present in adulthood. A common presenting feature is with recurrent pulmonary infections with other uncommon presentations being recurrent coughing bouts with meals and rarely hemoptysis.
Pathology
Etiology
BOF can be either congenital or acquired, with the latter including:
- esophageal cancer: can complicate 5-15% of cases 2
- percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy (rare) 1
- complication of acute radiation-induced esophagitis
- infective etiology affecting the esophagus 3,4
Treatment and prognosis
Complications
- recurrent pulmonary infection and sepsis
See also
Related Radiopaedia articles
Oesophageal pathology
- esophageal dysmotility
- esophageal tumors
- gastro-esophageal reflux disease
-
esophageal stricture
- benign esophageal stricture
- esophageal web
- esophageal ring
- malignant esophageal stricture
- esophageal stent
- benign esophageal stricture
- trauma
- infectious
- congenital
- gamuts
- mega-esophagus
- pseudoachalasia
- surgical procedures