Abstract
Tracheal agenesis (TA) is an extremely rare, typically fatal congenital tracheal malformation.
Lack of prenatal symptoms and emergent presentation usually lead to a failure to arrive
at the correct diagnosis and manage the airway properly before the onset of irreversible
cerebral anoxia. Esophageal atresia (EA) encompasses a group of congenital anomalies
comprising an interruption of the continuity of the esophagus with or without a persistent
communication with the trachea. In 86% of cases, there is a distal tracheoesophageal
fistula (TEF); in 7%, there is no fistulous connection, whereas in 4%, there is a
TEF without atresia. We report the case of an infant born with TA and EA with proximal
and distal bronchoesophageal fistulas. During 3 consecutive antenatal ultrasound examinations,
there had been polyhydramniosis, difficulty visualizing the stomach, and dilatation
of proximal esophagus, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of EA. The clinical presentation,
embryology, classification, and surgical management are discussed.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
April 9,
2008
Received in revised form:
April 3,
2008
Received:
January 31,
2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2008 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
