Abstract H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is a rare congenital anomaly that may present with recurrent respiratory or feeding-related symptoms, often resulting in delayed diagnosis. We report an 8-year-old boy with long-standing recurrent respiratory infections and poor weight gain, in whom contrast-enhanced computed tomography and bronchoscopy eventually confirmed an isolated H-type TEF. He underwent right cervical exploration with intra-operative bronchoscopy and fistula cannulation, enabling successful localization and division of the tract. This case highlights the diagnostic difficulty of isolated H-type TEF and emphasizes the need to consider bronchoscopy early in children with recurrent, unexplained respiratory infections.
Ravikumar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.