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Esophageal perforations in premature infants and comments on the diagnosis
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|April 1, 1980
Insights
Traumatic esophageal perforation can occur after oropharyngeal suctioning or endotracheal intubation. Diagnosis often involves chest X-rays showing nasogastric tube malposition in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Medicine
- Gastroenterology
- Radiology
Background:
- Traumatic esophageal perforation is a rare but serious complication.
- It often occurs secondary to medical procedures like suctioning or intubation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic findings of traumatic esophageal perforation.
- To highlight the common etiology and patient population affected.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic imaging (chest roentgenograms).
- Analysis of clinical scenarios leading to esophageal injury.
Main Results:
- Esophageal perforation is frequently diagnosed via chest roentgenogram.
- Findings include malpositioned nasogastric tubes in the pleural space, potentially with pneumothorax.
- The condition is most prevalent in low-birth-weight infants.
Conclusions:
- Esophageal perforation is a critical diagnosis to consider after specific procedures in infants.
- Radiographic evidence of nasogastric tube malposition is a key diagnostic clue.
Abstract:
Traumatic perforation of the esophagus follows oropharyngeal suctioning or endotracheal intubation. The diagnosis frequently is made from a routine chest roentgenogram that shows a nasogastric tube in the right pleural space with or without a pneumothorax. The lesion is seen most often in infants of low birth weight.