A case with tracheo-innominate artery fistula

Tracheo-innominate artery fistula (TIF) is known as a fatal complication after tracheostomy. We report a 9-year-old girl with early hypoxic encephalopathy who had a tracheo-innominate artery fistula with exsanguinating hemorrhage from her tracheostoma 10 months after tracheostomy. After temporary control of bleeding, embolization of the innominate artery was performed. The patient has remained well 1 year after the procedure. We reviewed the aetiology, diagnosis and management of the tracheo-innominate fistula, and findings suggest that endovascular embolization of the innominate artery may be an appropriate treatment for patients with tracheo-innominate artery fistula.