GI System Development

Question 1

What is esophageal stenosis?

Answer 1

(narrowing) occurs due to incomplete recanalization of the esophagus during development (epithelial cells are persistent)

Question 2

What is esophageal atresia?

Answer 2

(failure to develop) occurs due to a defective tracheoesophageal septum. Both esophageal stenosis and atresia lead to polyhydramnios (excessive accumulation of amniotic fluid due to failure of fluid swallowing and absorption) and difficulty after birth with regurgitation and choking when drinking milk.

Question 3

What is Tracheoesophageal fistula?

Answer 3

May develop because of incomplete separation of the trachea from the esophagus (defective tracheoesophageal septum). This leads to respiratory distress.

Question 4

What is Congenital Hiatal Hernia?

Answer 4

May occur if esophagus fails to lengthen, resulting in the stomach being drawn up into the thorax.

Question 5

What might Diaphragmatic hernia be like on CT?

Answer 5

CT of the chest revealed a left diaphragmatic hernia, with the stomach positioned in the thorax, abutting the left ventricle. The stomach was visibly twisted, a finding consistent with a gastric volvulus.
After surgical repair of the hernia and volvus, palpitations after eating dinner resolved.