Detection of bronchoesophageal fistula in an infant: a case report

TL;DR

A rare case of bronchoesophageal fistula in a six-month-old infant is diagnosed and treated with surgery.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited literature on congenital bronchoesophageal fistula in infants.

Findings

A six-month-old infant presented with chronic cough and breathing difficulties, later diagnosed with BEF.

Diagnostic investigations confirmed BEF, leading to surgical intervention.

The case emphasizes the need for high clinical suspicion to diagnose rare malformations like BEF.

Abstract

Bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) is a rare malformation, presenting with abnormal communication between the bronchus and the esophagus, which can be either congenital or acquired. Congenital bronchoesophageal fistula is rare; this case study presents a clinical case of a six-month-old male infant of African descent with a history of chronic cough and breathing difficulties since birth, treated as a case of recurrent pneumonia without improvement. Following a thorough series of investigations, the diagnosis of bronchoesophageal fistula (BEF) was confirmed, prompting the decision to proceed with surgical intervention. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion to accurately diagnose BEF.

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