Tracheoesophageal fistula in AIDS: stent versus primary repair

Tracheoesophageal fistula arising secondary to Mycobacterium tuberculous infection in AIDS patients is extremely rare. We describe a case with a fistula lesion that initially failed to close using a four-drug antituberculosis regimen. The original lesion closed following placement of an esophageal stent. However, the stent migrated, causing an iatrogenic tracheoesophageal fistula that needed surgical repair. Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an uncommon clinical condition, most frequently arising as a sequelae to esophageal malignancy. Iatrogenic injury to the membraneous trachea secondary to cuffed endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes in the presence of an in-dwelling nasogastric tube and corrosive burns, accounts for most of the remainder of occurring fistulas. Infections such as candidiasis, syphilis, and tuberculosis are also known to cause this condition. We report stent migration with perforation and subsequent TEF formation in an HIV-positive patient who originally had stent placement for a tuberculous tracheoesophageal fistula.