A 2-day-old neonate with excessive oral secretions and respiratory distress has a nasogastric tube inserted. On chest and abdominal X-ray, the tube is seen coiled in the upper esophageal pouch. This finding is diagnostic of:

• A Tracheoesophageal fistula without atresia
• B Congenital diaphragmatic hernia
• C Duodenal atresia
• D Esophageal atresia ✓

Explanation

The coiled nasogastric tube in the blind-ending upper esophageal pouch on X-ray is the classic diagnostic finding of esophageal atresia. An isolated H-type tracheoesophageal fistula without atresia would allow the NG tube to pass into the stomach. Duodenal atresia shows the double bubble sign. Diaphragmatic hernia shows bowel in the chest.

Reference: Caffey's Pediatric Diagnostic Imaging, 12th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.