Pediatric Esophagotrachea

  • Etiology: Most severe form of laryngo-tracheo-esophageal cleft = laryngo-tracheo-esophageal cleft type 4
  • Imaging UpperGI: Simultaneous opacification of the esophagus and trachea with the communication between the two being long in length
  • DDX: Tracheoesophageal fistula
  • Complications: Aspiration pneumonia
  • Treatment: Surgical
  • Clinical: Has poor prognosis

Radiology Cases of Esophagotrachea

UGI of esophagotrachea
CXR AP (left) shows the endotracheal rube tip in the midline to be low in position while the nasogastric tube tip projecting to the left of it is high in position. AP image from an esophagram obtained after the nasogastric tube had been advanced into the distal esophagus (above right) shows simultaneous opacification of the trachea in the midline and the bilateral mainstem bronchi along with esophagus to the left of the trachea. Lateral image from the esophagram (below right) shows the communication between the esophagus and trachea to be long in length.