Tracheoesophageal fistula is infrequently seen but has grave consequences if the diagnosis is missed. 

Patients may present with a range of symptoms including dysphagia, dysarthria, coughing following swallowing, local pain or swelling and other symptoms related to the initial injury or medical cause.¹

Chest X-ray findings are non-specific but the most common findings are left sided pleural effusion and subcutaneous emphysema. ²

Complications include aspiration with or without pneumonia, pleural effusions and lung abscesses.

Therapeutic management is surgical. ¹