Esophageal atresia can be diagnosed by a history of feeding difficulties and cinefluoroscopy showing proximal dilatation of the esophagus. Cinefluoroscopy can also show the dynamic motility of the esophagus. A deformation of the esophageal contour as well as the tracheal contour during cinefluoroscopy may indicate a vascular anomaly also. Cine CT can show the dynamic motility of the airway. Bronchoscopy reveals compression of the trachealumen to various extent in the affected area.
Treatment consists of initially treating the underlying cause.
For example, patients with vascular rings should have the constricting vessels surgically divided and affixed to other structures to eliminate the impingement on the trachea. Other available treatment includes stenting the trachea open. This can be done both internally and externally. Tracheoplasty, with removal of the area of collapse and insertion of a rigid piece of cartilage in its place, also relieves the patient's symptoms. Intercurrent respiratory illnesses exacerbate tracheomalacia and children should be properly monitored and evaluated as indicated.