Authors: David Walor Walter Berdon Nicole Anderson Peter D Holt Matthew Fox
Publish Date: 2005/08/12
Volume: 35, Issue: 12, Pages: 1196-1198
Abstract
Background Nasal continuous positive airway pressure CPAP has been used since 1975 as the initial treatment for respiratory distress syndrome RDS in very premature infants Gaseous distention of the abdomen CPAP belly is a common secondary effect of CPAP Gaseous distention of the hypopharynx is also common Objective To determine the incidence of hypopharyngeal distention in infants on CPAP Materials and methods We performed a retrospective review of the chest radiographs of 57 premature infants treated with CPAP during a 4week period to find the presence and degree of hypopharyngeal distention Results Of the 57 radiographs 14 25 revealed gaseous distention of the hypopharynx and/or cervical esophagus On occasion this raised concern for pharyngeal perforation or esophageal atresia Conclusion Awareness that CPAPrelated hypopharyngeal distention is common should help radiologists avoid erroneous consideration of esophageal atresia or hypopharyngeal perforation
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