Twin pregnancy complicated by esophageal atresia, duodenal atresia, gastric perforation, and hypoplastic left heart structures in one twin: a case report and review of the literature

Combined esophageal and duodenal atresia: A review of the literature from 1950 to 2020

The combination of duodenal atresia (DA) and esophageal atresia (EA) is very rare. With improvements in prenatal sonography and the use of fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), these malformations can be diagnosed in a more accurate and timely manner; polyhydramnios remains the most common sign despite having a low specificity. The high rate of associated anomalies (in 85% of cases) can also impact neonatal management and increase the morbidity rate; thus, it is of paramount importance to look for every possible associated malformation, such as VACTERL and chromosomic anomalies. The surgical management of this combination of atresias is not well defined and changes according to the patient's clinical status, the type of EA, and the other associated malformations. Management ranges from a primary approach for one of the atresias with delayed correction of the other (56.8%) to a simultaneous repair of both atresias (33.8%) with or without gastrostomy, or total abstention (9.4%). We suggest that a simultaneous approach can be safely performed on patients in good physical condition, with a birth weight over 1500 g, and with no major respiratory distress; this method begins by closing the tracheoesophageal fistula to protect the lung and then repairing the DA. The mortality rate has decreased over the years, dropping from 71% before 1980 to 24% after 2001. In this review, we present the available evidence on these conditions, focusing mostly on the epidemiology, prenatal diagnosis, neonatal management strategies, and outcome, with the aim of determining how the different clinical features and surgical approaches may impact on morbidity and mortality.

In-utero gastric perforation from combined duodenal and esophageal atresia without consistent polyhydramnios

We present a case in which prenatal imaging at 21-weeks’ gestation suggested duodenal atresia with a double-bubble sign and enlarged stomach. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging findings demonstrated dilation of the stomach and proximal duodenum favoring duodenal atresia but no indications of esophageal atresia. Subsequent prenatal imaging demonstrated interval spontaneous decompression of the stomach without the development of polyhydramnios, obscuring the diagnosis. Postnatally, initial abdominal radiography showed a gasless abdomen, and an oral gastric tube could not pass the mid-esophagus, raising concern for pure esophageal atresia. Intraoperative findings were consistent with duodenal atresia, pure esophageal atresia and a gastric perforation due to a closed obstruction. In this case report, we review the prenatal diagnostic challenges and the limited literature pertaining to this unique pathology.

Band neutrophil sign: A strong first-trimester ultrasound marker of combined duodenal and esophageal atresia

OBJECTIVES

To reveal a first-trimester sonographic marker associated with combined duodenal and esophageal atresia (DA and EA).

METHODS

This retrospective study included four patients referred to our department in the first trimester due to fetal stomach anomaly. In the literature, we found 20 additional cases of combined DA and EA with four of them to be revealed at 12 weeks.

RESULTS

We present the largest for to date case series of combined DA and pure EA diagnosed in the first trimester including one with additional visualization of the distal esophageal pouch and its communication with the stomach. All our cases and four previously published reports (including two cases of DA and EA with tracheoesophageal fistula [TEF]) were characterized by the presence of "band neutrophil" sign-a symmetrical C-shaped loop in the fetal abdomen, occupying a central position close to the anterior abdominal wall. Similar findings could be seen also later in pregnancy, but they lack the same prognostic value.

CONCLUSIONS

Band neutrophil sign is a pathognomonic first-trimester ultrasound marker of combined DA and EA irrespective of the presence of TEF. Nevertheless, it should be further evaluated in prospective studies.