Recurrent pneumonia from an ileobronchial fistula complicating Crohn's disease

J Clin Gastroenterol. 2001 Apr;32(4):365-7. doi: 10.1097/00004836-200104000-00021.

Abstract

We report the case of a patient with Crohn's disease and recurrent pneumonia for over 3 years before the discovery of an occult ileopulmonary fistula and review five other cases in the literature. Patients often present with chronic cough productive of feculent sputum, pleuritic chest pain, and signs of pulmonary consolidation that fail to respond completely to antibiotic therapy. Mixed enteric flora is cultured from sputum and bronchial washings in most cases. Bronchoscopy findings range from chronic bronchial inflammation to feculent material in the airways. Barium enema is often diagnostic. Surgery and Crohn's-specific therapy are key components of curative therapy.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bronchial Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Bronchial Fistula / etiology*
  • Bronchial Fistula / surgery
  • Crohn Disease / complications*
  • Humans
  • Ileal Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Ileal Diseases / etiology*
  • Ileal Diseases / surgery
  • Intestinal Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Intestinal Fistula / etiology*
  • Intestinal Fistula / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
  • Pneumonia / etiology*
  • Pneumonia / surgery
  • Recurrence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed