CONGENITAL TRACHEOESOPHAGEAL FISTULA WITHOUT ATRESIA - AN INCIDENTAL FINDING

A four-year-old boy who had a long history of upper respiratory tract infections and growth retardation was admitted because of recurrent ab dominal pain. During upper gastrointestinal series to search for a gas tric or duodenal ulcer, the examiner noticed a minute amount of contra st medium within the trachea. Repeat esophagography on an angiographic table led to the correct diagnosis of a congenital H-type fistula. Th e patient did not have the classical symptoms of a history of choking and cyanosis after feeding during infancy or recurrent lower respirato ry tract infections, The only finding consistent with a fistula was gr owth retardation, and the diagnosis was established incidentally durin g a work-up for abdominal pain.