Tracheoesophageal fistula with tracheal stenosis resulting from retained esophageal foreign body

Although a foreign body ingestion is common in infants and young children, serious complication such as penetration of the esophagus is a relatively rare event. Delayed diagnosis may result from lack of classical symptoms and history, leading to serious result, even to death. A 2-year-old boy was admitted to the emergency room with dyspnea. He had wheezing and stridor for a 1.5-year and unfortunately treated as a bronchial asthma for a long time. Chest X-ray and cervical CT scan revealed esophageal foreign body. Intraoperative findings showed a plastic material in the esophagus and tracheoesophageal fistula with tracheal stenosis as a complication of the retained foreign body. Therefore, we should keep in mind that foreign body can present atypical symptoms like respiratory symptoms, especially in infant and young children.