Esophageal atresia

Esophageal atresia
ICD-10	Q39.0, Q39.1
ICD-9	750.3
DiseasesDB	30035
MeSH	D004933

WikiDoc Resources for Esophageal atresia
Articles
Most recent articles on Esophageal atresia Most cited articles on Esophageal atresia Review articles on Esophageal atresia Articles on Esophageal atresia in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ
Media
Powerpoint slides on Esophageal atresia Images of Esophageal atresia Photos of Esophageal atresia Podcasts & MP3s on Esophageal atresia Videos on Esophageal atresia
Evidence Based Medicine
Cochrane Collaboration on Esophageal atresia Bandolier on Esophageal atresia TRIP on Esophageal atresia
Clinical Trials
Ongoing Trials on Esophageal atresia at Clinical Trials.gov Trial results on Esophageal atresia Clinical Trials on Esophageal atresia at Google
Guidelines / Policies / Govt
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Esophageal atresia NICE Guidance on Esophageal atresia NHS PRODIGY Guidance FDA on Esophageal atresia CDC on Esophageal atresia
Books
Books on Esophageal atresia
News
Esophageal atresia in the news Be alerted to news on Esophageal atresia News trends on Esophageal atresia
Commentary
Blogs on Esophageal atresia
Definitions
Definitions of Esophageal atresia
Patient Resources / Community
Patient resources on Esophageal atresia Discussion groups on Esophageal atresia Patient Handouts on Esophageal atresia Directions to Hospitals Treating Esophageal atresia Risk calculators and risk factors for Esophageal atresia
Healthcare Provider Resources
Symptoms of Esophageal atresia Causes & Risk Factors for Esophageal atresia Diagnostic studies for Esophageal atresia Treatment of Esophageal atresia
Continuing Medical Education (CME)
CME Programs on Esophageal atresia
International
Esophageal atresia en Espanol Esophageal atresia en Francais
Business
Esophageal atresia in the Marketplace Patents on Esophageal atresia
Experimental / Informatics
List of terms related to Esophageal atresia

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ahmad Muneeb, MBBS[2]

Historical Perspective

• Esophageal atresia was first discovered by William Durston, in 1670 in one of the conjoined twins. Thomas Gibson describe proximal esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-esophageal fistula in 1697. While Thomas Hill presented a case of esophageal atresia with rectal agenesis in 1840

Classification

• Esophageal atresia may be classified according to presence or location of tracheo-esophageal fistula into [5] subtypes:

• Esophageal atresia without tracheo-esophageal fistula also known as Gross type A.
• Esophageal atresia with proximal tracheo-esophageal fistula also known as Gross type B.
• Esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-esophageal fistula also known as Gross type C.
• Esophageal atresia with distal and proximal tracheo-esophageal fistula also known as Gross type D.
• Tracheo-esophageal fistula without esophageal atresia also known as Gross type E.

Pathophysiology

• The pathogenesis of esophageal atresia is characterized by abnormalities during embryonic foregut development.
• The Nkx2.1 and SOX2 genes have been associated with the development of esophageal atresia. Nks2.1 and SOX2 are transcription factors involved in the formation of normal esophagus and trachea from embryonic foregut. The activity of these transcription factors is precisely regulated by NOGGIN (BMP-4 anatgonist) and WNT protein. Any abnormality in these genes or signaling pathways can hinder the normal development of trachea and esophagus. Sonic hedgehog is another signaling pathway involved in embryonic foregut differentiation. The main function of sonic hedgehog is to regulate FOX genes. Abnormal expression of FOXF1 gene has been associated with esophageal atresia. In animal models, retinoic acid signaling abnormalities have also been associated with abnormal foregut differentiation, although this association has not been confirmed in humans. Role of adriamycin in the development of esophageal atresia has been studied in animal models. Adriamycin can lead to esophageal atresia in rats but the mechanism remains unclear. Defective apoptosis in foregut and abnormalities in notochord have been proposed as potential mechanisms for the development of esophageal atresia by adriamycin use.

Causes

Disease name] may be caused by [cause1], [cause2], or [cause3].

OR

Common causes of [disease] include [cause1], [cause2], and [cause3].

OR

The most common cause of [disease name] is [cause 1]. Less common causes of [disease name] include [cause 2], [cause 3], and [cause 4].

OR

The cause of [disease name] has not been identified. To review risk factors for the development of [disease name], click here.

Differentiating esophageal atresia from other Diseases

• Esophageal atresia must be differentiated from other diseases that may cause dysphagia, aspiration, such as:

• Esophageal webs
• Esophageal stricture
• Esophageal diverticulum
• Laryngotracheoesophageal cleft
• Tubular esophageal duplications
• Congenital short esophagus

Epidemiology and Demographics

• The prevalence of esophageal atresia is approximately [1.3-4.6] per 100,000 births worldwide.

Age

• Patients of all age groups may develop [disease name].

• [Disease name] is more commonly observed among patients aged [age range] years old.
• Esophageal atresia is observed congenitally.

Gender

• [Disease name] affects men and women equally.

• [Gender 1] are more commonly affected with [disease name] than [gender 2].
• The [gender 1] to [Gender 2] ratio is approximately [number > 1] to 1.

Race

• There is no racial predilection for [disease name].

• [Disease name] usually affects individuals of the [race 1] race.
• [Race 2] individuals are less likely to develop [disease name].

Risk Factors

• Common risk factors in the development of [disease name] are [risk factor 1], [risk factor 2], [risk factor 3], and [risk factor 4].

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

• The majority of patients with [disease name] remain asymptomatic for [duration/years].
• Early clinical features include [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
• If left untreated, [#%] of patients with [disease name] may progress to develop [manifestation 1], [manifestation 2], and [manifestation 3].
• Common complications of [disease name] include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].
• Prognosis is generally [excellent/good/poor], and the [1/5/10­year mortality/survival rate] of patients with [disease name] is approximately [#%].

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Criteria

• The diagnosis of [disease name] is made when at least [number] of the following [number] diagnostic criteria are met:

• [criterion 1]
• [criterion 2]
• [criterion 3]
• [criterion 4]

History and Symptoms

• [Disease name] is usually asymptomatic.
• Symptoms of esophageal atresia may include the following:

• Dysphagia
• Feeding difficulties
• GERD
• Choking
• Aspiration
• Food aversion as a consequence of above-mentioned symptoms
• blowing bubbles at birth indicating saliva mixed with air because of the concomitant presence of tracheoesophageal fistula in most cases of esophageal atresia.

Physical Examination

• Patients with [disease name] usually appear [general appearance].
• Physical examination may be remarkable for:

• respiratory distress
• [finding 2]
• [finding 3]
• [finding 4]
• [finding 5]
• [finding 6]

Laboratory Findings

• There are no specific laboratory findings associated with [disease name].

• A [positive/negative] [test name] is diagnostic of [disease name].
• An [elevated/reduced] concentration of [serum/blood/urinary/CSF/other] [lab test] is diagnostic of [disease name].
• Other laboratory findings consistent with the diagnosis of [disease name] include [abnormal test 1], [abnormal test 2], and [abnormal test 3].

Electrocardiogram

There are no ECG findings associated with [disease name].

OR

An ECG may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an ECG suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

X-ray

An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of esophageal atresia. Usually, it is impossible to pass oral catheter beyond 10 to 15cm in esophageal atresia. Anterioposterior chest x-ray can confirm it by showing twisted catheter in the upper esophagus. Plain x-ray may also show absence of gastric bubble. If the diagnosis is unconfirmed, water-soluble contrast under fluoroscopic guidance can confirm the presence of esophageal atresia.

Echocardiography or Ultrasound

Ultrasound may be helpful in the antenatal diagnosis of esophageal atresia. Findings on an ultrasound suggestive of [esophageal atresia] include polyhydramnios from 24th week of gestation onwards, small or absentstomach bubble (indicating absence of fluid in stomach) from 14th week of gestation onwards. These findings are not specific for esophageal atresia and may be present in other congenital abnormalities. Dilated esophagus with blind end is sometimes seen on ultrasound as an echoic area in the midline of fetal neck(pouch sign) from 3rd trimester onwards. Polyhydramnios and stomach bubble sign may be absent if distal tracheo-esophageal fistula is present with esophageal atresia as some amniotic fluid may pass through the fistula. If esophageal atresia is accompanied by proximal tracheo-esophageal fistula then pouch sign may be difficult to observe owing to leakage of fluid through the fistula.

CT scan

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Location] CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on CT scan suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

OR

There are no CT scan findings associated with [disease name]. However, a CT scan may be helpful in the diagnosis of complications of [disease name], which include [complication 1], [complication 2], and [complication 3].

MRI

Fetal MRI may be helpful in the diagnosis of [[esophageal atresia], as it can confirm the findings detected on ultrasound. In addition to polyhydramnios, pouch sign, bubble sign, MRI can also detect distended fetal hypopharynx sign which occurs as a consequence of hypopharynx distension because of obstruction.

Other Imaging Findings

There are no other imaging findings associated with [disease name].

OR

[Imaging modality] may be helpful in the diagnosis of [disease name]. Findings on an [imaging modality] suggestive of/diagnostic of [disease name] include [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Other Diagnostic Studies

Inability to pass oral catheter in the esophagus for more than 10-12 cm should raise the suspicion of esophageal atresia.

OR

Postnatally,esophagogastroscopy may be helpful in the diagnosis of esophageal atresia. It is also helpful in evaluating the complications of esophageal atresia like GERD.

OR

Other diagnostic studies for esophageal atresia include [], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3], and [diagnostic study 2], which demonstrates [finding 1], [finding 2], and [finding 3].

Treatment

Medical Therapy

• There is no treatment for [disease name]; the mainstay of therapy is supportive care.

• The mainstay of therapy for [disease name] is [medical therapy 1] and [medical therapy 2].
• [Medical therapy 1] acts by [mechanism of action 1].
• Response to [medical therapy 1] can be monitored with [test/physical finding/imaging] every [frequency/duration].

Surgery

• Surgery is the mainstay of therapy for [disease name].
• [Surgical procedure] in conjunction with [chemotherapy/radiation] is the most common approach to the treatment of [disease name].
• [Surgical procedure] can only be performed for patients with [disease stage] [disease name].

Prevention

• There are no primary preventive measures available for [disease name].

• Effective measures for the primary prevention of [disease name] include [measure1], [measure2], and [measure3].

• Once diagnosed and successfully treated, patients with [disease name] are followed-up every [duration]. Follow-up testing includes [test 1], [test 2], and [test 3].