Am J Perinatol 2003; 20(7): 341-346
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-45281
Copyright © 2003 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Bronchoesophageal Fistula in a Neonate: Radionuclide Study as Diagnostic Modality

Seema Kapoor1 , Simmi K. Ratan2 , Geeta Gathwala1 , Sanjeev  Mehndiratta1 , Ravi Kashyap3
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India
  • 2Department of Pediatric Surgery, Pt BD Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India
  • 3Institute of Nuclear Medicine, INMAS, Delhi, India
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Publication History

Publication Date:
04 December 2003 (online)

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ABSTRACT

A neonate with H-type fistula between esophagus and right bronchus is described. He presented with an uncommon symptom of hypersialosis. The fistula was missed both at cinesophagogram and endoscopy, the modalities currently held as investigations of choice for the diagnosis of this entity. Instead it was incidentally picked up by radionuclide study undertaken to rule out dyskinesia or gross gastroesophageal reflux, which demonstrated the tract unequivocally. To the best of our knowledge this modality has not been used earlier for this purpose. The authors feel that although persistence in attempts to demonstrate the tract preoperatively is important, radionuclide study can also be considered as a diagnostic tool in difficult cases.