African Journal of Internal Medicine

ISSN 2326-7283

African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN 2326-7283 Vol. 3 (10), pp. 315-318 November, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Case Report

Fluoroscopic procedure employed to detect missed H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula: Case report

Hugh Kofi Micheal

Department of Radiography, Faculty of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.

*Authors  E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 9 October,  2015

Abstract

Congenital, isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistula (H-type) is a rare anomaly. It accounts for 4-5% of all congenital trachea-oesophageal malformations. This condition when undetected may present as chronic lung disease of unknown origin because repeated aspirations can lead to recurrent lung infections and bronchiectasis. Early diagnosis is essential in the newborn. However, the diagnosis of congenital H-typetracheo-oesophagealfistula is difficult. Oesophagram is usually a reliable radiographic method to identify the condition, though often requiring multiple attempts before the defect is confirmed. In some cases the disease may not be detected until adulthood. Herein, we present the fluoroscopic technique used to successfully diagnose originally missed H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana.

Key words: tracheo-oesophageal fistula, H-type, fluoroscopic techniques, ‘AP by feeding technique’.