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FOREIGN BODY INDUCED TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA IN A PEDIATRIC PATIENT WITH A MISDIAGNOSIS: CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF

Amezene Tadesse, Meheret Befekadu, Hanna Getachew

    Ethiopian Medical Journal
    |May 17, 2016
    PubMed

    Insights

    A foreign body caused a rare tracheoesophageal fistula in a child, leading to a chronic cough and misdiagnosis. This case highlights the importance of considering unusual causes for persistent respiratory symptoms in pediatric patients.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Surgery
    • Gastroenterology
    • Pulmonology

    Background:

    • Acquired tracheoesophageal fistulae are rare but can present with subtle symptoms like cough during swallowing.
    • Diagnosis can be challenging, potentially leading to prolonged misdiagnosis and mismanagement.

    Observation:

    • A 2-year-old male child presented with a chronic cough, a symptom initially attributed to other causes.
    • The child had a history suggestive of a foreign body ingestion, which was not initially recognized as the etiology.

    Findings:

    • A foreign body was identified as the cause of an acquired tracheoesophageal fistula.
    • The fistula resulted in chronic respiratory symptoms that were misdiagnosed for an extended period.

    Implications:

    • This case underscores the need for a high index of suspicion for foreign body-induced tracheoesophageal fistulae in children with unexplained chronic cough.
    • Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial to prevent prolonged morbidity and ensure appropriate management of pediatric tracheoesophageal injuries.

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