Traumatic esophageopleural fistula due to fish bone injury

Abstract

Oesophageopleural fistula (EPF) is an abnormal communication in between the oesophagous and pleural space such that the contents of oesophagous are drained into the pleural space surrounding the lungs. We describe a case of a middle-aged female who presented with right sided pyothorax secretions of which consisted of food particles. Chest computed tomography and barium swallow confirmed the diagnosis of oesophageopleural fistula, cause of which was found to be an accidental fish bone injury. Conservative management was done by chest tube drainage along with ryles tube feeding. Patient expired following severe sepsis.

Keywords

• Fishbone
• fistula
• oesophagopleural