Computed tomography angiography diagnosis of tracheo-innominate fistula: a case report and review of literature

A tracheo-innominate fistula (TIF) is a rare complication of tracheostomy placement, developing after less than 1% of surgical tracheostomies. It usually occurs within 3 days to 6 weeks after surgery (1,2). The development of a TIF is devastating and nearly uniformly fatal without treatment (3). Even with treatment, the survival rate is low, as operative mortality is greater than 50%, and fewer than 50% of patients withstanding surgery survive more than 2 months (1,4).