Tracheo-esophageal fistula

Case contributed by Mohammed A. Mahdi
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Repeated vomiting and suffocation

Patient Data

Age: 2 days old
Gender: Male
Barium

Esophageal atresia with dilated blind-ended proximal portion. Aeration of stomach and bowel indicate fistula tract connecting the distal esophagus with trachea or bronchus

Annotated image

The most common type of tracheo-esophageal fistula (type C: esophageal atresia with distal fistula), represents 85% of cases.

Illustration designed by Dr Ahmed Khawwam, resident doctor in our department.

Case Discussion

This pathology is due to abnormal partitioning of the laryngotracheal tube from the esophagus by the trachea-esophageal septum during the 4th week of gestation. This case demonstrates the most common type ( type C: esophageal atresia with distal fistula 85%) of congenital tracheo-esophageal fistula.

Diagnosis can usually be proved by chest x-ray after insertion of a nasogastric tube due to tube coiling within the proximal part of esophagus. Barium studies can be preserved for controversial cases or for confirmation.

Our case was operated on for correction and diagnosis was confirmed surgically.

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