Tuberculous bronchoesophageal fistula managed conservatively with a percutaneous gastrostomy for feeding and administration of medication

Abstract

Bronchoesophageal fistulae are a rare complication of tuberculosis. Traditionally they are managed by either thoracotomy with resection and closure of the fistulous tract or by taking a more conservative approach of giving standard treatment for tuberculosis while ensuring nutritional support through a nasogastric tube. We report a young student with disseminated tuberculosis complicated by a bronchoesophageal fistula. He was managed conservatively with anti-tuberculous chemotherapy and nutrition administered through a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube. This approach was associated with a relatively good quality of life and he was able to pursue his studies uninterrupted at the local university.