Duodenal atresia with an anomalous common bile duct masquerading as a midgut volvulus

In a patient with duodenal atresia, a "double bubble" is classically present on plain radiographs. When bowel gas exists distal to the duodenum, duodenal atresia often is excluded from the differential diagnosis. The authors present a case in which contrast can be seen in the small bowel and biliary system on upper gastrointestinal series in a patient with duodenal atresia and an anomalous common bile duct. One always must consider duodenal atresia with an anomalous biliary system as a possible cause of bilious vomiting with a high grade proximal bowel obstruction in a neonate. J Pediatr Surg 36:956-957.