This site is targeted at medical and radiology professionals, contains user contributed content, and material that may be confusing to a lay audience. Use of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Ileal atresia

Dr Frank Gaillard and Dr Jeremy Jones et al.

An ileal atresia is a congenital abnormality where there is significant stenosis or compete absence of a portion of ileum. There is an increase incidence in those with chromosomal abnormalities.

Pathology

An ileal atresia results from a vascular accident in utero that leads to decreased intestinal perfusion and subsequent ischaemia a segment of bowel. This leads to narrowing, or in the most severe cases, complete obliteration of the intestinal lumen.

Associations

cystic fibrosis : ~ 25% of cases ¹

Radiographic features

Antenatal ultrasound

An ileal atresia is often discovered prenatally at a routine prenatal ultrasound scan or following the development of polyhydramnios. On ultrasound, there is frequently a proximal dilated intestinal segment.

Plain film (post natal)

In the postnatal period, an AXR will show air in the dilated loops of proximal bowel. Barium studies will confirm the level of obstruction.

Surgical treatment depends on the severity of obstruction and length of damaged bowel, but is usually curative.

References

This article is in need of some more references!
You can make a difference to Radiopaedia.org by adding some relevant ones.
1. Entezami M, Albig M, Knoll U et-al. Ultrasound Diagnosis of Fetal Anomalies. Thieme. (2003) ISBN:1588902129. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon
2. Berrocal T, Lamas M, Gutieérrez J et-al. Congenital anomalies of the small intestine, colon, and rectum. Radiographics. 19 (5): 1219-36. Radiographics (full text) - Pubmed citation