Duodenal atresia
Updates to Article Attributes
Duodenal atresia results from a congenital malformation of the duodenum and requires prompt correction in the neonatal period. It is considered to be one of the commonest causes of a fetal bowel obstruction.
Epidemiology
The prevalence of duodenal atresia is ~1 in 5,000-10,000 newborns, and there is no sex-associated difference in prevalence.
Clinical presentation
Patients present in early life with duodenal obstruction and associated symptoms of abdominal distension, vomiting and absent bowel movements. In complete atresia, duodenum ends blindly with no communication with the distal bowel (and therefore no aeration distally). The atretic segment is usually just distal to the ampulla of Vater 1 and the child has bilious vomiting. If the atresia is proximal to the ampulla, the vomiting is non-bilious.
Pathology
Although more distal small bowel atresia is believed to be secondary to an ischemic episode, duodenal atresia is thought to represent a failure of recanalisation of the bowel lumen that is a solid tube early in fetal life (~11-12 weeks).
Recognition that these structures are not continuous with the stomach will aid in the correct interpretation. This may occur in cases of choledochal cysts or renal, hepatic, omental, duplication or ovarian cysts. Likewise, a "double bubble" may be seen in cases of Ladd's bands, annular pancreas or volvulus, in which there is no duodenal atresia.
Associations
Associated conditions are common and include:
- Down syndrome: ~30% of duodenal atresia cases may have Down syndrome while ~3% of Down syndrome cases may have duodenal atresia
- VACTERL association
- annular pancreas
- other intestinal atresias
Radiographic features
Plain radiograph
Abdominal radiographs may classically show a double bubble sign with gas filled distended stomach and duodenum with an absence of distal gas. A similar appearance (either filled with fluid or gas) can be seen in other modalities.
Distal bowel gas although more classically associated with duodenal stenosis, however, it can be seen in duodenal atresia via anomalous bile duct anatomy 4.
Ultrasound
May also show a dilated stomach and duodenum giving a double bubble type appearance. This, however, may not be sonographically detectable until the mid to late second trimester. May also show evidence of polyhydramnios as an ancillary sonographic feature.
Treatment and prognosis
Surgical treatment for duodenal obstruction includes some different techniques for the intrinsic causes, including duodeno-duodenostomy and duodeno-jejunostomy. With surgical correction, prognosis is excellent (especially with isolated cases), and the outlook is therefore largely determined by other associated abnormalities.
Differential diagnosis
For plain radiograph appearances consider:
All three of these will show distal gas:
For an ultrasound appearance of a "double bubble type" appearance also consider
See also
-</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Abdominal radiographs may classically show a <a href="/articles/double-bubble-sign">double bubble sign</a> with gas filled distended stomach and duodenum with an absence of distal gas. A similar appearance (either filled with fluid or gas) can be seen in other modalities. </p><p>Distal bowel gas although more classically associated with <a href="/articles/duodenal-stenosis">duodenal stenosis</a>, however, it can be seen in duodenal atresia via anomalous bile duct anatomy <sup>4</sup>. </p><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>May also show a dilated stomach and duodenum giving a double bubble type appearance. This, however, may not be sonographically detectable until the mid to late second trimester. May also show evidence of <a href="/articles/polyhydramnios">polyhydramnios</a> as an ancillary sonographic feature.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Surgical treatment for duodenal obstruction includes some different techniques for the intrinsic causes, including duodeno-duodenostomy and duodeno-jejunostomy. With surgical correction prognosis is excellent (especially with isolated cases), and the outlook is therefore largely determined by other associated abnormalities.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>For <strong>plain radiograph</strong> appearances consider:</p><ul>- +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>Abdominal radiographs may classically show a <a href="/articles/double-bubble-sign-duodenum">double bubble sign</a> with gas filled distended stomach and duodenum with an absence of distal gas. A similar appearance (either filled with fluid or gas) can be seen in other modalities. </p><p>Distal bowel gas although more classically associated with <a href="/articles/duodenal-stenosis">duodenal stenosis</a>, however, it can be seen in duodenal atresia via anomalous bile duct anatomy <sup>4</sup>. </p><h5>Ultrasound</h5><p>May also show a dilated stomach and duodenum giving a double bubble type appearance. This, however, may not be sonographically detectable until the mid to late second trimester. May also show evidence of <a href="/articles/polyhydramnios">polyhydramnios</a> as an ancillary sonographic feature.</p><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>Surgical treatment for duodenal obstruction includes some different techniques for the intrinsic causes, including duodeno-duodenostomy and duodeno-jejunostomy. With surgical correction, prognosis is excellent (especially with isolated cases), and the outlook is therefore largely determined by other associated abnormalities.</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>For <strong>plain radiograph</strong> appearances consider:</p><ul>
Image 2 Barium ( update )
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