Isolated esophageal atresia | Figure 1

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Cincinnati Children's Radiology

Isolated esophageal atresia

Radiograph of the chest and abdomen (image 1) and focused radiograph of the upper chest (image 2) shows dilation of the proximal esophageal pouch (arrow) with an enteric tube stopping within the pouch. There is no distal bowel gas. Esophageal atresia is often associated with tracheoesophageal fistula. In most instances, the tracheoesophageal fistula connects to the distal esophagus. In these instances, air is present within loops of bowel. Patients without distal bowel gas either have isolated esophageal atresia or tracheoesophageal fistula connected to the proximal esophagus.

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