title: Transient mega-esophagus in a neonate with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
abstract: Esophageal dilatation (ED) in neonates is rare. In the present case, ED was detected in a chest radiograph following repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) in a term neonate. A roentgenographic swallow study on the seventh day of life demonstrated ED and a sub-diaphragmatic stomach. The infant thrived adequately on enteral feeding. A swallow study on the twentieth day of life showed a normal-width esophagus with gastroesophageal reflux and small hiatus hernia. The longstanding herniated stomach in the fetus apparently caused kinking, edema, and obstruction of the gastroesophageal junction. This led to a significant ED and concealment of gastroesophageal reflux. We aim to arouse awareness about the occurrence of ED with CDH, and about its benign course under conservative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neonatology, Rambam Medical Center and Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Bat-Galim 31096, Haifa, Israel. makhoul@rambam.health.gov.il
authors.forename: I R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Makhoul
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shoshany
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Smolkin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Epelman
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sujov
mesh_terms: D004931:Esophageal Achalasia / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011859:Radiography