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Low SF, Ngiu CS, Hing EY, Norzailin AB
Correspondence: Dr Low Soo Fin, soofinlow@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a common infectious disease worldwide. However, mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis complicated by oesophageal involvement and oesophago-respiratory fistula is now uncommon due to improved anti-tuberculous regimes and better general awareness. The overall incidence of acquired oesophago-respiratory fistula due to infection is low, and therefore, the lesion is not often a frontrunner in differential diagnosis. Still, tuberculous oesophago-respiratory fistulae can potentially occur in patients with retroviral disease, as they tend to have atypical and more virulent manifestations. In this study, we report the case of multiple oesophago-respiratory fistulae in a patient with PTB and retroviral disease, and highlight the computed tomography features of these lesions as an atypical presentation of PTB in retroviral disease. Clinicians should suspect oesophago-respiratory fistulae if patients present with Ono’s sign, and remain particularly vigilant for patients with underlying PTB and retroviral disease, as early diagnosis and treatment could help to reduce mortality.
Keywords: oesophago-bronchial fistula, oesophago-mediastinal fistula, oesophago-pulmonary fistula, oesophago-respiratory fistula, pulmonary tuberculosis
Singapore Med J 2014; 55(7): e104-e106; http://dx.doi.org/10.11622/smedj.2013259
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