Esophageal atresia and tracheal stenosis: use of three-dimensional CT and virtual bronchoscopy in neonates, infants, and children.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of three-dimensional CT and virtual bronchoscopy in the treatment of neonates, infants, and children with esophageal atresia and tracheal stenosis. Long-gap (n = 1) and short-gap (n = 5) esophageal atresia, long-segment stenosis (n = 2), patent poststenting trachea (n = 1), normal trachea without fistula (n = 1), and tracheal bronchus (n = 1) were studied. Fistulas between the lower esophagus and carina were noted in all six cases of esophageal atresia. All CT findings correlated with operative or bronchoscopy findings. Sensitivity and specificity were 100%. Three-dimensional CT and virtual bronchoscopy are accurate and useful techniques in the preoperative assessment of esophageal atresia and tracheal stenosis in neonates, infants, and children.