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CASE REPORT
Year : 2009  |  Volume : 14  |  Issue : 2  |  Page : 73-75
 

Embryogenesis of esophageal atresia: Is localized vascular accident a factor?


Department of Pediatric surgery, Assam Medical college, Dibrugarh, Assam, India

Date of Web Publication22-Aug-2009

Correspondence Address:
Hemonta K Dutta
Assam Medical College & Hospital, Dibrugarh, Assam-786 002
India
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Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


DOI: 10.4103/0971-9261.55158

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   Abstract 

Several theories on embryogenesis of esophageal atresia have been proposed, none could explain the whole spectrum of this anomaly. We report a new variant of esophageal atresia in which the two blind pouches were joined by an atretic band. Histology of the atretic part showed groups of striated muscle arranged haphazardly without any lumen. The existing theories on etiology of esophageal atresia cannot explain this variant. However, localized vascular accident during intrauterine life resulting in disturbances in regional microcirculation could be a possible factor as demonstrated by Louw and Barnard in relation to jejunoileal atresia. This is contrary to the current understanding that disproportionate growth of the horizontal esophageal folds results in esophageal atresia.


Keywords: Embryogenesis, esophageal atresia


How to cite this article:
Dutta HK, Harsh S. Embryogenesis of esophageal atresia: Is localized vascular accident a factor?. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg 2009;14:73-5

How to cite this URL:
Dutta HK, Harsh S. Embryogenesis of esophageal atresia: Is localized vascular accident a factor?. J Indian Assoc Pediatr Surg [serial online] 2009 [cited 2023 Mar 24];14:73-5. Available from: https://www.jiaps.com/text.asp?2009/14/2/73/55158



   Introduction Top


The embryogenesis of esophageal atresia (EA) is poorly understood. Theories such as intra embryonic pressure, vascular accidents, failure of recanalization, disproportionate growth of the lateral epithelial folds etc. were inadequate to explain the whole spectrum of this malformation. The latest theory based on electron microscopic studies suggests that overgrowth of a dorsal horizontal fold in the region of the tracheoesophageal separation would result in EA and tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). [1] This theory also proposes that late ischemia of an already formed esophagus could result in pure EA.


   Case Report Top


The author observed a new variant in a patient with pure esophageal atresia. A two-day old male baby weighing 2.6 kg presented with frothing from mouth, high respiratory rate and a flat abdomen. A catheter through the mouth did not go beyond 10 cm from the lower jaw. Water soluble contrast study showed a blind upper pouch. A right posterolateral thoracotomy was done. It was observed that both the blind ends were joined by an atretic segment about 24 mm long and two mm thick [Figure 1] and [Figure 2]. The segment seemed to have a few muscle fibers [Figure 3]. The atretic segment was excised, blind ends opened and a primary anastomosis performed. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on 12 th post operative day.


   Discussion Top


The esophagus can be identified at three weeks of gestation. In the subsequent two weeks, elongation of the esophagus occurs mainly due to ascent of the larynx. Ventral tracheal primordium develops at this stage. Rosenthal proposed that this process involves apposition of two lateral longitudinal epithelial folds. [2] Failure of this apposition leads to tracheoesophageal fistula formation while apposition too posteriorly results in EA. Smith proposed that during the rapid phase of esophageal elongation, over thinning of the esophagus results in EA. [3] Tandler's theory of failure of recanalization resulting in atresia may explain the rare congenital esophageal web, but fail to explain the full thickness defect in EA. [4] The presence of abnormal branchial vessels seen in some cases of EA suggest a coincident rather than causal relationship. [5],[6] Based on detailed saggital sections and scanning electronic microscopic studies on chick embryos, Kluth and Habenicht proposed the theory of esophagotracheal separation by dorsal and ventral horizontal folds. [7] Overgrowth of the dorsal fold results in distal fistulas continuity with the trachea. Although this theory comes close to explaining many of the types of EA and TEF, it fails to explain embryogenesis of some variant of EA. Variants of esophageal atresia, reported in literature, such as esophageal atresia with distal tracheoantral fistula associated with congenital intrathoracic stomach and situs inversus (SI), [8] esophageal atresia with triple fistula, [9] esophageal atresia with an abnormally long lower segment that entered the trachea in the region of the upper thoracic aperture, a long atretic proximal portion of the lower segment, and an additional membrane in the lower segment, [10] esophageal atresia associated with esophageal heterotopic pancreas [11] etc. could not be explained on the basis of these theories. There are still other variants such as pure esophageal atresia that showed spontaneous recanalization, [12] which could be the subtype II5 of type 2 in Kluth's  Atlas More Details of esophageal atresia with 2 blind esophageal ends and a cyst occupying the intervening space.

Sinha et al . reported another variant with a TEF between the lower pouch and trachea, with a cystic dilatation in the midportion. [13] The tracheal end of the fistula was obstructed by a membranous septum at both ends of a cystic dilatation, leading to a diagnosis of pure EA (gasless abdomen). In the present variant, which was not reported in the literature earlier, two blind ends of the esophagus are connected by an atretic band. The band was 24 mm long and histology of the part showed presence of disorganized striated muscle groups without any lumen. This is similar to type II atresia of the small bowel. Etiology of this variant could be explained on the basis of the antenatal vascular accident theory proposed by Louw in jejunoileal atresia. [14] Through their classic experimental study in 1955, Louw and Barnard demonstrated that intrauterine vascular insult to the developing bowel results in variable degree of atresia. [2] This study was further supported by some other experimental studies. [15],[16],[17] Similar observations noted in humans led to wide acceptance of this theory.[18],[19],[20] Jejunoileal atresia, in rare instances, has been found to be associated with esophageal, gastric, duodenal and colonic atresias, [18],[19],[20] which may point to a common etiological factor.

 
   References Top

1.Louw JH, Barnard CN. Congenital intestinal atresia, Observations on its origin. Lancet 1955;269(6899):1065-7  Back to cited text no. 1    
2.Rosenthal AH. Congenital atresia of the esophagus with tracheoesophageal fistula, Report of 8 cases. Arch Pathology 1931;12:756-72.  Back to cited text no. 2    
3.Smith IE. The early development of the trachea and esophagus in relation to atresia of the esophagus and tracheoesophageal fistula. Contributions to Embryology 1957;36:41-57.  Back to cited text no. 3    
4.Tandler J. Zur Entwicklungsgeschichte des menschlichen duodenums im fruhen Embryonal stadium. Gegenbaurs Morphologisches Jahrbuch 1900;29:187-216.  Back to cited text no. 4    
5.Lister J. Vascular vagaries: some reflections on the significance of blood vessels in normal and abnormal development. J R Coll Surg Edinb 1978;23 :331-40.  Back to cited text no. 5  [PUBMED]  
6.Greenwood RD, Rosenthal A. Cardiovascular malformations associated with tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia. Pediatrics 1976;57:87-91.  Back to cited text no. 6  [PUBMED]  
7.Spitz L. Esophageal Atresia: Past, Present and Future. J Pediatr Surg 1996;31:19-25.  Back to cited text no. 7  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
8.Luo CC, Lin JN, Lien R, Chu SM. A new variant of esophageal atresia with distal tracheo-antral fistula associated with congenital intrathoracic stomach and situs inversus. J Pediatr Surg 2003;38:E25-7.  Back to cited text no. 8  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
9.Kane TD, Atri P, Potoka DA. Triple fistula: Management of a double tracheoesophageal fistula with a third H-type proximal fistula. J Pediatr Surg 2007;42;6:e1-3.  Back to cited text no. 9    
10.Lambrecht W, Kluth D. Esophageal atresia: A new anatomic variant with gasless abdomen. J Pediatr surg 1994;29:564-5.  Back to cited text no. 10  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
11.Ozcan C, Elik A, Erdener A. A new variant of esophageal atresia associated with esophageal heterotopic pancreas. J Pediatr Surg 2002;37:116-8.   Back to cited text no. 11  [PUBMED]  [FULLTEXT]
12.Gunsar C, Sencan A, Karaca I, Mir E. Isolated esophageal atresia with spontaneous recanalization: Case report. J Pediatr Surg 2002;37:1210-2.  Back to cited text no. 12    
13.Sinha CK, Gangopadhyay AN, Sahoo SP, Gopal SC, Gupta DK, Sharma SP. A new variant of esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula and duodenal atresia: a diagnostic dilemma. Pediatr Surg International 1997;12:186-7.   Back to cited text no. 13    
14.Louw JH. Congenital intestinal atresia and severe stenosis in the newborn. S Afr J Clin Sci 1952;3:109-29.  Back to cited text no. 14  [PUBMED]  
15.Tsujimoto K, Sherman FE, Ravitch MM. Experimental intestinal atresia in the rabbit fetus sequential pathological studies. Johns Hopkins Med J 1972;131:287-97.  Back to cited text no. 15  [PUBMED]  
16.Abrams JS. Experimental intestinal atresia. Surgery 1968;64:185-91.   Back to cited text no. 16  [PUBMED]  
17.Santulli TV, Blanc WA. Congenital atresia of the intestine. Pathogenesis and treatment. Ann Surg 1961;154:939-48.  Back to cited text no. 17    
18.DeLorimier AA, Fonkalsrud EW, Hays DM. Congenital atresia and stenosis of the jejunum and ileum. Surgery 1969;65:819-27.  Back to cited text no. 18  [PUBMED]  
19.Evans CH. Atresias of the gastrointestinal tract. International abstracts in surgery 1951;92:1-8.  Back to cited text no. 19    
20.Lister J, Rickham PP. Intestinal atresia and stenosis, excluding the duodenum. In: Rickham PP, Lister J, Irving I, editors. Neonatal Surgery. Butterworths, London: 1978. p. 381-400.  Back to cited text no. 20    


    Figures

  [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]


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