Tracheoesophageal Fistula
Etiology
- Post-intubation: especially if ETT cuff presses on mucosa where NG tube is
- Post-XRT:
- Tracheal tumor:
Physiology
- Fistula from trachea to esophagus
Diagnosis
- FOB: may be missed if not carefully looked for
- CXR/Chest CT:
Treatment
- TE fistula: wean patient from ventilator (gastrostomy may be needed), then surgical resection is preferred (T-tube may temporize in some cases)
References
