case_images: PMC11824707_01
case_images: PMC11824707_02
case_images: (a-b) Chest CT reveals abnormal density in the trachea and esophagus at the T1-2 level, accompanied by anterior left encapsulated gas and fluid collection, and foreign body with perforation. (c) Fiberoptic bronchoscopy reveals a foreign body at the mid-tracheal level with associated secretions. (d) Gastroscopy reveals smooth mucosa throughout the entire esophagus. (e) The foreign body is a round transparent plastic sheet, resembling a doll's eye, with a diameter of approximately 15 mm.
case_images: CRIOT2025-3983529.001.jpg
case_images: PMC11824707_02_CRIOT2025-3983529.001.jpg
case_images: fig1
case_images: An emergency chest spiral CT scan (Figure 1(a), 1(b)) revealed abnormal density shadows in the trachea and esophagus at the T1-2 level, accompanied by encapsulated gas and fluid accumulation in the left anterior region, and a foreign body with perforation. During the procedure under general anesthesia, a fiberoptic bronchoscopy through a laryngeal mask revealed a foreign body in the mid-trachea with adherent secretions (Figure 1(c)). After the removal of the laryngeal mask, a gastroscopy through the oral route showed a smooth esophageal mucosa without abnormalities (Figure 1(d)). The retrieved foreign body was identified as a circular, transparent plastic sheet (Figure 1(e)).
case_images: The key steps of surgery.
case_images: CRIOT2025-3983529.002.jpg
case_images: PMC11824707_02_CRIOT2025-3983529.002.jpg
case_images: fig2
case_images: Exploration of the left and right main bronchi revealed no additional foreign bodies (The key steps of the surgery are shown in Figure 2).
case_images: PMC11824707_03
case_images: (a) A possible fistula between the trachea and esophagus at the T1-T2 level under esophageal iodine contrast imaging. (b) Re-evaluation of the chest CT scan demonstrates significant improvement in the pulmonary inflammation, no foreign bodies visualized within the trachea and esophagus, and the perforation has healed significantly compared to before. (c) Esophagography shows significant improvement in the tracheoesophageal fistula, with most of it healed compared to before. (d) The well-healed wound at the tracheostomy site in the pediatric patient.
case_images: CRIOT2025-3983529.003.jpg
case_images: PMC11824707_03_CRIOT2025-3983529.003.jpg
case_images: fig3
case_images: TEF (Figure 3(a)). Follow-up chest CT and esophagography in early September confirmed the healing of the TEF, and the patient progressively transitioned to a normal diet (Figures 3(b), 3(c)). By September 14, 2022, the patient had fully recovered, the drainage skin was removed, and the nasogastric tube was withdrawn, returning to a regular diet (Figure 3(d)).