Abstract

Benard Ohene Botwe*, Y. B. Mensah, Kafui Kekesi, D. A. Anim, E. Akpan, R.Vedenku, W. K. Antwi

Congenital, isolated tracheo-oesophageal fistula (H-type) is a rare anomaly. It accounts for 4-5% of all congenital trachea-oesophageal malformations. This condition when undetected may present as chronic lung disease of unknown origin because repeated aspirations can lead to recurrent lung infections and bronchiectasis. Early diagnosis is essential in the newborn. However, the diagnosis of congenital H-typetracheo-oesophagealfistula is difficult. Oesophagram is usually a reliable radiographic method to identify the condition, though often requiring multiple attempts before the defect is confirmed. In some cases the disease may not be detected until adulthood. Herein, we present the fluoroscopic technique used to successfully diagnose originally missed H-type tracheo-oesophageal fistula at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH), Ghana.