Use of transabdominal (external) ultrasound during balloon dilatation to diagnose tracheobronchial remnant in congenital esophageal stenosis

Abstract

Preoperativedifferential diagnosis between tracheobronchial remnant (TBR) and other typesof congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is challenging, even when usingendoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). This report is the first to demonstrate theuse of transabdominal (external) ultrasound during balloon dilatation todiagnose TBR in CES. This simple technique is a promising diagnostic tool forTBR as an alternative to EUS.