Case report

This is a case of a 26-year-old G1 P0 who was referred to our department at 27 weeks of gestation. Her first ultrasound scan performed at 16 weeks was reported as normal. Ultrasound scan at 22 weeks showed enlarged amount of the amniotic fluid. The ultrasound findings at 27 weeks during our examination were following:

• Enlarged amount of the amniotic fluid
• Absence of the stomach
• Blind-ending of the esophagus, upper neck pouch sign

Our diagnosis based on the above findings was Esophageal atresia.

Patient delivered at term. The neonate was examined after delivery and the diagnosis of esophageal atreasia was confirmed. She underwent immediate surgery which was successful. Baby is 2-months-old at the moment and is doing very well.

Images 1,2: Sagittal view of the neck and chest. Esophagus is dilated, note the arrow, this is co called upper neck pouch sign.

Images 3,4: Image 3 shows a upper neck pouch sign. Arrow on the image 4 indicates the caudal end of the esophagus.

Images 5,6: Doppler imaging demonstrates the flow of the amniotic fluid in the esophagus. Blind-ending of the esophagus is nicely demonstrated.

Images 7,8: Image 7 shows a transverse view of the fetal abdomen, note the absence of the stomach. Image 8 shows an enlarged amount of the amniotic fluid, AFI - 24 cm.

Image 9: Schematic drawing of the esophageal atresia. Esophagus (light green) is blind-ended. There is no communication with trachea (blue). Stomach is not visible (dark green).