Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula | Figure 1

Esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula

Frontal radiograph of the chest shows an enteric tube (arrow) coiled within the proximal esophageal pouch. This finding is typical of esophageal atresia. Note the presence of air within the stomach (arrowhead) confirming the presence of a tracheoesophageal fistula. While esophageal atresia with a tracheoesophageal fistula can be an isolated finding, 50-75% of patients have other associated abnormalities. Common associations include VACTERL sequence and cardiovascular defects.

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#ThoraxThursday #ThoracicThursday

Chest x-ray in a #newborn shows coiling of the enteric tube (arrow) in a proximal esophageal pouch characteristic of esophageal atresia. In this case, the presence of air in the stomach tells us that there MUST be a tracheoesophageal fistula connecting to the distal #esophagus. A distal #fistula is the most common type of fistula accounting for 80-85% of cases. #ThoraxThursday

AP chest radiograph in a newborn shows a nasogastric tube coiled within a dilated gas-filled proximal esophageal pouch, a typical appearance for esophageal atresia. Gas is visualized in the stomach and bowel, confirming the presence of a concomitant tracheo-esophageal fistula. #ThoraxThursday

Chest x-ray in a neonate shows a nasogastric tube in an upper esophageal pouch. The nasogastric tube could not be advanced beyond this point. There is no air within the stomach or loops of bowel. These findings suggest that there is either isolated esophageal atresia without tracheoesophageal fistula or, if there is an tracheoesophageal fistula, it must be with the distal esophagus. #ThoraxThursday