Esophageal bronchus

Esophageal bronchus, a.k.a. communicating bronchopulmonary foregut malformation, refers to the rare occurrence where a bronchus arises directly from the esophagus.

Epidemiology

It is more common in females with a M:F of 1:2 .

Gross anatomy

Esophageal bronchi may be the main bronchus, which gives rise to esophageal lung, or may be a lobar bronchus, most commonly a lower lobe bronchus.

Associations

• esophageal atresia
• tracheo-esophageal fistula

Blood supply

Arterial supply and venous drainage are variable:

• arterial supply: may arise directly from the thoracic aorta
• venous drainage: may be to systemic or pulmonary circulations

Radiographic appearance

Plain radiograph

• unilateral alveolar opacity and air bronchogram as a result of aspiration
• mediastinal shift to the affected side

Fluoroscopy

• barium fills the bronchus and first-order branches