Analysis of the Application Value of Different Esophagography Techniques in the Diagnosis of H-Type Tracheoesophageal Fistula in Neonates

• Published in: Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2022-07, Vol.2022, p.1-5
• Main Authors: Deng, Kewei, Luo, Liqian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Balloon catheters; Balloon treatment; Catheters; Comparative analysis; Computed tomography; Congenital diseases; Diagnosis; Females; Fistula; Fistulae; Medical diagnosis; Neonates; Newborn babies; Ostomy; Pneumonia; Surgery
• ISSN: 1741-427X; 1741-4288
• DOI: 10.1155/2022/7264343

Objective. The study aimed to analyse the detection rates of the triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique and conventional esophagography in diagnosing H-type tracheoesophageal fistula (H-TEF) in neonates. Methods. The data of 8 neonates diagnosed with H-TEF by surgery in the researchers’ hospital between January 2015 and January 2022 were collected. We compared the detection (true positive) rates of H-TEF by the triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique, conventional esophagography, and multidetector row spiral CT. Results. Before surgery, conventional esophagography was applied in all 8 cases, of which the H-TEF diagnosis was confirmed in 5 cases and TEF was suspected in 3 cases. The triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique was employed in 5 cases, of which 4 were confirmed with H-TEF and 1 was suspected with TEF. Multidetector row spiral CT was performed in 4 cases, and 1 case was confirmed with H-TEF, while no fistula was observed in the other 3 cases. The triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique yielded a 100% detection rate, while conventional esophagography revealed a 62.5% rate and multidetector row spiral CT showed a 25% rate. By comparative analysis, the true positive rates (TPRs) of the triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique and conventional esophagography were not significantly different (P=0.118). No significant differences were recorded in TPRs between conventional esophagography and multidetector row spiral CT (P=0.221). However, the triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique had a significantly higher TPR than multidetector row spiral CT (P=0.118). Conclusion. To diagnose congenital H-TEF in neonates, conventional esophagography is a highly valuable yet inconsistently reliable method and the diagnostic value of CT is relatively limited. The triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique boasts a significantly valuable application for H-TEF diagnosis. Being simple, economical, and effective, it barely requires state-of-the-art facilities, and no complications have occurred during its clinical practice. These advantages justify a possible wider application of the triple-lumen double-balloon catheter technique in clinical practice.