Retroversion of the esophagoscope to find a bronchoesophageal fistula inside an esophageal diverticulum in a patient with achalasia

Case description

A 28-year-old male patient with a childhood history of pulmonary tuberculosis who had undergone pneumatic balloon dilatation 2 years previously for achalasia ([Fig. 1]) presented with a 1-year history of cough during meals. Esophagoscopy performed for suspicion of tracheoesophageal fistula showed esophageal dilation and a small diverticulum in the mid-esophagus ([Fig. 2]). Bronchoscopy showed a fistulous opening in the left main bronchus, for which a fully-covered metal stent was placed inside the bronchus ([Fig. 3]). Four months later, esophagoscopy was performed to confirm fistula closure. Because forward-viewing esophagoscopy did not reveal a fistulous opening, a careful retroversion and slow withdrawal of the esophagoscope was performed ([Video 1]). It revealed a fistulous opening at the apex of the diverticulum in the mid-esophagus ([Fig. 4]).

Fig. 1 Lateral view of barium esophagogram depicting dilated esophagus with pooling of barium (red arrow) and narrowed gastroesophageal junction (asterisk).

Fig. 2 Endoscopic image showing dilated esophagus (asterisk) and a mid-esophgeal diverticulum (black arrow) and non-visualization of the opening of the bronchoesophageal fistula.

Fig. 3 Chest x-ray showing fibrosis in the left lung with a metal stent inside the left main bronchus (arrow).

Video 1 Demonstration of retroversion technique for localizing bronchoesophageal fistula in a patient with achalasia.

Fig. 4 Endoscopic image in retroversion depicting a small opening (arrow) at the apex of the diverticulum (asterisk) and dilated esophagus. Esophagoscope is visible at 12 o’clock position.

Bronchoesophageal fistula is rare condition and can be congenital or acquired [1]. Usually, bronchoesophageal fistula is visualized on forward-viewing esophagoscopy. But if a fistulous opening is inside the esophageal diverticulum, it is difficult to appreciate it on forward-viewing esophagoscopy, and retroversion of the endoscope can be tried in the dilated esophagus. This case is unique in many aspects in that: 1) bronchoesophageal fistula is rare inside an esophageal diverticula [2]; 2) association with achalasia is rare [3]; and 3) visualization was possible on retroversion of the esophagoscope. Caution should be exercised, however, while performing retroversion during esophageal endoscopic examination, as the limited space may lead to complications.

Publication History

Article published online:
21 July 2020

• References

• 1 Barbara DW, Broski SM, Blackmon S. Bronchoesophageal fistula. Can J Anaesth 2017; 64: 1267-1268
• 2 López A, Rodríguez P, Santana N. et al. Esophagobronchial fistula caused by traction esophageal diverticulum. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2003; 23: 128-130
• 3 Zhu J, Ni Y, Lu Q. et al. Benign esophago-pulmonary fistula complicating achalasia: case report and literature review. J Thorac Dis 2015; 7: E92-E96