[Localized dilatation of the bronchi. A misunderstood etiology of coronaro-bronchial fistula].

The authors report the case of a coronary to bronchial artery anastomosis secondary to focal bronchiectasis. The diagnosis was made after finding large retroatrial vessels on coronary arteriography. A pulmonary steal syndrome, frequently reported in this condition in the literature, was not present in that particular case. The diagnosis of a coronary to bronchial artery anastomosis should alert the physician to possible underlying cardiac disease (Tetralogy of Fallot, supravalvular aortic stenosis, severe coronary artery disease). A bronchopulmonary etiology (chronic obstructive airways disease, multiple bullae, bronchiectasis) is less commonly found as the presentation is often atypical.