Acquired TEF in Hodgkin Lymphoma in a Child: A Rare Clinical Association.

BACKGROUND: Malignancy is the most common etiology of acquired fistulae between the tracheobronchial tree and esophagus. The majority are due to either primary bronchial or esophageal carcinoma, and are typically observed in adult population. The occurrence of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) in patients with Hodgkin lymphoma is a rare phenomenon.

OBSERVATION: We report a rare case of Hodgkin lymphoma with TEF in a 10-year-old girl at presentation. She also developed pulmonary tuberculosis later during the follow up. She was fed through a nasogastric tube to avoid aspiration through the fistulous tract. She did well with chemotherapy and anti-tubercular therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Our case suggests TEF in Hodgkin lymphoma at the time of diagnosis is a rare complication in pediatric age group. Lymphoma-related TEF require far less active intervention, as against esophageal or bronchial malignancy related TEF.