esophageal perforation
- usually in neonates
- upper esophagus frequently affected, then NG tube dissects posteriorly
- relatively benign in neonates
CXR findings:
- pneumothorax
- pneumomediastinum
- abnormal distance between NG tube and trachea on lateral view
- NG tube does not terminate in stomach
- thin irregular tract (with contrast) vs. large regular tract
(tracheo-esophageal fistula)
- pleural effusion
- patchy infiltrates
see: esophageal trauma
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© 2002, C.E. Kahn, Jr.
2002-04-18