Gastrobronchial fistula after toothbrush ingestion

J Pediatr Surg. 2006 Oct;41(10):1768-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2006.05.060.

Abstract

Gastrobronchial fistulous communications are uncommon complications of disease processes with only 36 previously reported cases. Described as complication of a number of conditions, such as previous gastroesophageal surgery, subphrenic abscess, and gastric ulcers (Jha P, Deiraniya A, Keeling-Robert C, et al. Gastrobronchial fistula--a recent series. Interact Cardiovasc Thorac Sur 2003;2:6-8), we report a case of fistulization caused by ingestion of a foreign body. A patient with mental retardation, admitted for the treatment of osteomyelitis, presented during hospitalization symptoms of high fever, vomiting, and respiratory distress. Endoscopy showed the presence of a gastrobronchial fistula, which developed after ingestion of a toothbrush. The toothbrush was extracted endoscopically, and the fistula was subsequently closed by surgery. The patient recovered completely. We report the first case of a gastrobronchial fistula as a complication of foreign body ingestion.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchial Fistula / etiology*
  • Bronchial Fistula / surgery
  • Endoscopy*
  • Foreign Bodies / complications*
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnostic imaging
  • Foreign Bodies / surgery
  • Gastric Fistula / etiology*
  • Gastric Fistula / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / complications
  • Male
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Toothbrushing / instrumentation*