Mega-aeroesophagus in children: a sign of gastroesophageal reflux.
Mega-aeroesophagus or massive pneumoesophagus, visible on plain chest radiographs of children, almost invariably is associated with gastroesophageal reflux. The finding is especially common in children with cerebral palsy and/or mental retardation. Occasionally, it is seen on a transient basis in severely ill or moribund patients, but even in these cases, it is usually due to gastroesophageal reflux. Only rarely is mega-aeroesophagus seen with other problems such as distal esophageal obstruction or acute lye burns.
D000293:Adolescent; D000388:Air; D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D011859:Radiography; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology