CONGENITAL BRONCHO-ESOPHAGEAL FISTULA: A CASE REPORT

Congenital broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a rare anomaly usually detected in adulthood. In one of the latest reviews of this anomaly, no more than 150 cases were found in the world literature. We report our experience with a 49 year old male patient referring with a classic presentation of chronic cough and choking episodes upon liquid intake. Broncho-esophageal fistula was confirmed by an esophagogram and the congenital nature of the fistula was established by the pathologic report notifying the presence of squamous cell lining of the fistula tract. We conclude that the esophagus should be investigated more frequently when patients have respiratory complaints at their initial presentation, since pulmonary symptoms may indirectly reflect esophageal disease.