Long-term consequences of esophageal atresia; esophageal and lung abnormalities in adulthood

28 March 2021

C A Ten Kate 1J Vlot 2L S Kamphuis 3H IJsselstijn 2M C W Spaander 4 5

1Erasmus MC-Sophia, afd. Kinderchirurgie, Rotterdam(tevens: Erasmus MC, afd. Maag-, Darm- en Leverziekten, Rotterdam).

2Erasmus MC-Sophia, afd. Kinderchirurgie, Rotterdam.

3Erasmus MC, afd. Longgeneeskunde, Rotterdam.

4Erasmus MC, afd. Maag-, Darm- en Leverziekten, Rotterdam.

5Contact: M.C.W. Spaander (v.spaander@erasmusmc.nl).

 

Abstract

Esophageal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly. Due to increased survival rates, the population of adults born with this malformation is growing. These patients turn out to have an increased risk to develop Barrett’s esophagus, esophageal carcinoma or lung abnormalities like bronchiectasis. This is illustrated by three cases: a 42-year-old man with an irresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; a 23-year-old man with a Barrett’s esophagus without any reflux complaints; and a 51-year-old women with a reflux esophagitis and extensive bronchiectasis due to a combination of gastroesophageal reflux with chronic aspiration and a reduced sputum clearance because of a history of tracheomalacia. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of these risks and the possible absence of symptoms, in order to detect abnormalities at an early stage and improve quality of life of these patients.

See it on Pubmed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *