Congenital esophagobronchial fistula in a 62-year-old woman.

A 62-year-old woman had symptoms of cough provoked by ingestion of liquids and radiologic changes compatible with repeated bouts of aspiration pneumonitis. A left bronchoesophageal fistula was easily demonstrated by barium esophagogram and fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Division of the fistula resulted in immediate disappearance of the symptoms, gradual resolution of the radiologic abnormalities, and marked improvement in the results of pulmonary function tests. The fistula appeared to be of congenital origin, but the reason that symptoms developed so late in life remains obscure.