A case of esophagobronchial fistula due to esophageal cancer treated by esophageal stent

Abstract

A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with tarry stool. Esophageal carcinoma was diagnosed based on gastrointestinal endoscopy showing a type 2 advanced cancer of the middle thoracic esophagus. After three courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy (56 Gy) , he developed a fever and began strong coughing. On chest CT, a passage between the mediastinum and esophagus was identified. The fistula was completely sealed by a covered esophageal stent. Oral intake became possible on day seven after the procedure. Nevertheless, the patient again developed pneumonia one month later. His general condition slowly worsened, and he died on day 96 after stenting.
Pathological autopsy demonstrated the fistula between esophagus and right bronchi, still sealed by the stent. Esophageal stenting was thus deemed an effective method to improve the patient’s quality of life.