Tracheoesophageal fistula as a result of bronchial artery infusion therapy.

A case of acquired tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is reported. The cause of TEF was thought to be multiple bronchial artery infusions of anticancer drugs which presumably caused necrosis of the trachea and esophageal wall. Recurrent aspiration pneumonia was the main finding. Definite diagnosis was made by esophagoscopy and confirmed by bronchoscopy and chest CT scan. Successful palliative treatment was achieved by bypassing the esophagus with the stomach via the retrosternal route under epidural anesthesia.