Duodenal-bronchial fistula: an unusual cause of shortness of breath and a productive cough

Abstract

Duodenal-bronchial fistulas are very uncommon, even among the already rare subgroup of abdominal-bronchial fistulas. We describe a case of a woman with Crohn's disease who presented with shortness of breath and a productive cough who was found to have a duodeanl bronchial fistula on computed tomography scan. We demonstrate with this case how these rare cases can lead to chronic lung aspirations and require multidisciplinary involvement.

Keywords

• Duodenal-bronchial fistula
• Fistula
• Chronic aspiration