Persistent bronchography in a newborn with esophageal atresia

• Main Authors: Giuseppe De Bernardo, MD, Desiree Sordino, MD, Maurizio Giordano, BSc, Nicoletta Doglioni, MD, Daniele Trevisanuto, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2016-06-01
• Series: Radiology Case Reports
• Subjects: Esophageal atresia; Barium sulfate; Iodate medium; Respiratory distress; Bronchography
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S193004331530546X
• ISSN: 1930-0433

Esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula occurs in about 1:2,500 births. We report a case of persistent bronchography in a newborn with EA and distal tracheoesophageal fistula. A large amount of barium sulfate was injected for mistake by a tube directly in the right bronchus to evaluate the patency of the esophagus. The infant showed signs of respiratory distress; he was intubated and transported at children's Hospital Santobono Pausilipon. Here, it was performed a chest X-ray that confirmed the opacification of the right bronchial tree, and it was suspected an EA type 3b. The literature recommends that: evaluation of the patency of the esophagus, with an iodinate contrast medium, should be done in a pediatric specialized center for high risk of lung aspiration.