Congenital Malformations of the Esophagus

Abstract

Cases of congenital malformation of the esophagus are extremely rare, and many standard works on embryology, anatomy, pathology or pediatrics dismiss the subject with but a few words. In the large necropsy service of Bellevue Hospital, only one case has been recorded in the last sixteen years.1The etiology of the condition still remains in doubt, although several theories to explain it have been brought forward. MacKenzie 2 holds it possible that injury to the ovum or spermatozoa before fertilization may cause the defect. Trauma to the mother or fetus, abnormalities of the placenta, hydramnios and diseases on one or the other parental side, especially syphilis, have all been brought forth as possibilities, but, as Kreuter 3 states, they are not worth serious discussion.Associated malformations are uncommon and most of the children recorded as having esophageal abnormalities were otherwise healthy at birth. Ballantyne 4 calls attention to the fact that the position of the imperforation is practically always at the level of the lower portion of the trachea, and that the gastric portion almost always opens into the trachea.