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Published in: Pediatric Radiology 10/2013

01-10-2013 | Case Report

Tracheal agenesis with tracheoesophageal fistulae: fetal MRI diagnosis with confirmation by ultrasound during an ex utero intrapartum therapy (EXIT) delivery and postdelivery MRI

Authors: Alan M. Coleman, Arnold C. Merrow, Ravindhra G. Elluru, William J. Polzin, Foong-Yen Lim

Published in: Pediatric Radiology | Issue 10/2013

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Abstract

Tracheal agenesis is a rare and essentially lethal anomaly with divergent prenatal imaging findings depending on the presence or absence of a tracheoesophageal fistula. All prenatally diagnosed cases of tracheal agenesis reported to date have not had a tracheoesophageal fistula and presented with thoracoabdominal findings similar to congenital high airway obstruction syndrome. We present the case of a 32-week gestation fetus with rapid onset of polyhydramnios and no persistent findings of congenital high airway obstruction syndrome that was ultimately diagnosed with tracheal agenesis plus tracheoesophageal fistula by fetal MRI. Additionally, we present the novel uses of intraoperative US during a staged ex utero intrapartum therapy delivery and postdelivery MRI, facilitated by proximity within the neonatal ICU, to confirm diagnosis and direct patient management while minimizing unnecessary investigations.
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Metadata
Title
Tracheal agenesis with tracheoesophageal fistulae: fetal MRI diagnosis with confirmation by ultrasound during an ex utero intrapartum therapy (EXIT) delivery and postdelivery MRI
Authors
Alan M. Coleman
Arnold C. Merrow
Ravindhra G. Elluru
William J. Polzin
Foong-Yen Lim
Publication date
01-10-2013
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Pediatric Radiology / Issue 10/2013
Print ISSN: 0301-0449
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1998
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-013-2679-0

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