An infrequent cause of misdiagnosis in esophageal atresia

Potential hazards of contrast study diagnosis of esophageal atresia

“…Classically, in EA, a 10F orogastric tube will stop approximately 10 cm from the lips. In the case referred to us, the NG tube must have either coiled in the upper pouch, giving a false sense of passage into the stomach, or passed into the stomach via the distal fistula, accounting for the reported acidic aspirate [2].…”

Intentional tracheoesophageal fistula cannulation for gastric decompression in type C esophageal atresia

“…Another possibly better solution would be to decompress the stomach with a hollow balloon‐tipped catheter thus avoiding gastric insufflation once the balloon is inflated. The ease and rapidity with which we accomplished this procedure is consistent with previously described experiences in neonates with esophageal atresia, in whom an NGT was incidentally passed into the trachea and then through the fistula into the stomach …”

“…We avoided a rigid bronchoscope to cannulate the fistula given this procedure is consistent with previously described experiences in neonates with esophageal atresia, in whom an NGT was incidentally passed into the trachea and then through the fistula into the stomach. 3…”

Mind the gap: delayed diagnosis of oesophageal atresia and tracheo-oesophageal fistula due to passage of a nasogastric tube

“…An antero-posterior film might highlight a minor deviation from the midline4; a lateral chest x-ray is not routinely indicated. If a baby remains symptomatic in spite of ‘successful’ passage of a NGT, the possibility of OA/TOF should still be considered, a further attempt at passage of a stiff 10 Fr catheter should be undertaken and, where doubt persists, a contrast radiograph should be performed by an experienced radiologist 5…”