Esophago-bronchocavitary fistula caused by a foreign body: the first case report in the literature

Esophageal foreign bodies can be seen in all age groups, particularly in childhood. A 40-year-old female patient presented with a complaint of coughing while drinking water which started six months ago. The patient was diagnosed with schizophrenia five years ago without history of a foreign body. An endoscopy detected a perforation (approximately 5 mm) of the distal esophagus. After impregnating methylene blue, bronchoscopy was made which showed that the mouth of right lower lobe basal segment was smeared with methylene blue. The right posterolateral thoracotomy revealed esophageal perforation and a foreign body in the pulmonary cavity. The esophageal perforation was repaired, and the bronchus was closed. No postoperative complication was observed. Foreign bodies rarely cause esophago-bronchocavitary fistula and they may not be visualized through esophagoscopy. In such cases, surgery is necessary for both removal of the foreign body and closure of the esophagus and the bronchus.