Successful closure of chronic, nonhealing tubercular esophagobronchial fistula with an over‑the‑scope clip

Abstract

Esophagobronchial fistula is an uncommon complication of esophageal or mediastinal tuberculosis. A 35‑year‑old man, a known case of esophageal tuberculosis, who had received 9 months of antitubercular therapy (ATT) presented with persistent cough. He had previously been detected to have an esophagobronchial fistula for which multiple hemoclips had been applied elsewhere, but the fistula persisted. A fistulous communication between the esophagus and the left main bronchus was successfully closed with the help of over‑the‑scope‑clip (OTSC) system. The present case is unique as patient developed fistulous communication during the treatment with ATT and it persisted despite successful treatment of esophageal tuberculosis. Moreover, this refractory fistula could be successfully closed with OTSC.

Keywords

• cough
• dysphagia
• esophagus
• fistula
• tuberculosis