Iatrogenic injuries to the pharynx and esophagus in neonates are rare but may lead to significant morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed. The clinical presentation of such injuries is usually nonspecific and symptoms may be overlooked, particularly in sick preterm neonates. In the NICU daily chest radiographs of intubated neonates are typically preformed and the findings of such injuries may be recognized in these radiographs. it is important to recognize the radiographic findings on plain chest radiographs and to manage the patients to prevent further morbidity and mortality.
Injuries may be classified as follows:
1) Posterior pharyngeal rupture
2) Non-complicated esophageal injury with esophageal false lumen
3) Complicated esophageal rupture with penetration into the right pleural space.
The purpose of this pictorial assay is to describe the imaging findings of various forms of iatrogenic injury to the pharynx and esophagus in the neonatal period as was presented in a cohort of seven cases.
