Jejunal Atresia

  • Etiology: in-utero vascular accident so it has no other associated congenital abnormalities
  • AXR: triple bubble sign of dilated stomach, duodenal bulb, and proximal jejunum
  • UGI: dilation of the duodenum and extreme dilation of the proximal jejunum and no distal passage of contrast on delayed images
  • Clinical: may see multiple atresias spiraling around the ileocolic artery (apple-peel atresia)

Radiology Cases of Jejunal Atresia

AXR of umbilical venous catheter misplacement in umbilical vein
AXR AP shows the tip of the umbilical venous catheter curling back upon itself within the umbilical vein. The tip of the umbilical arterial catheter projects at T6. The proximal small bowel is massively dilated.
UGI of jejunal atresia
AP image from an upper GI exam shows dilation of the duodenum and extreme dilation of the proximal jejunum. There was no distal passage of contrast on delayed images.

Surgery Cases of Jejunal Atresia

Surgical image of jejunal atresia
Surgical image shows dilation of the proximal jejunum with a blind end (to the left) and a distal apple-peel deformity with extensive atresias of the jejunum and ileum (to the right).
Surgical image of jejunal atresia
Surgical image shows a dilated stomach and duodenum (above) due to an atresia in the proximal jejunum. The remainder of the jejunum is spiraled around the ileocolic artery (apple peel atresia).
Surgical image of jejunal atresia
Surgical image obtained after resection and anastomosis of an atresia in the proximal jejunum (upper left) shows the jejunum spiraled around the ileocolic artery (apple peel atesia).