Bronchopleural fistula

A bronchial fistula is an anastomosis between the bronchus and the chest cavity, and sometimes the pleural cavity (this happens especially often in children). It is a slit-like or tubular opening in the wall of an organ, into which a section of the mucous membrane from one section of one wall enters and passes through the other wall, ending up in another anatomical section. As a rule, a fistula does not change the topographic-anatomical location of organs, but there is a tendency to displacement. In this case, various complications can develop in the area of ​​the fistula: inflammation, suppuration. There are congenital and acquired fistulas. The cause of congenital fistulas is most often developmental disorders of the fetus. These gaps usually form before birth (9th week of intrauterine development), less often - during gestation. In this case, the gap is localized in the peritoneum, skull bones, diaphragm, cartilage, and nasal wall. Common causes of acquired fistulas include traumatic injuries (thermal, chemical), injuries during surgery. Fistulas occur after tuberculosis. In addition, acquired pathological channels arise due to certain processes in bones, cartilage tissue, and also after osteomyelitis. Clinically, fistulas appear as areas of soft tissue surrounded by inflammatory swelling and elevated skin temperature over them. This phenomenon not only causes pain, but can also cause serious complications.