Congenital oesophageal stenosis.

Clinical and radiographic observations in 34 infants and children with congenital stenosis of the oesophagus are reported. (1) Congenital stenosis of the oesophagus occurs more frequently than the previous literature suggests. (2) A congenital stenosis most commonly affects the lower oesophagus at the junction of its middle and distal thirds. (3) High oesophageal stenosis is less common, usually producing respiratory distress. Low oesophageal stenosis is more frequent, usually producing vomiting and oesophageal obstruction at the time the patients begin eating solid foods. (4) Oesophageal stenosis persists into adult life although its clinical course is benign. (5) An infant who vomits undigested food should have an oesophagram for evaluation of possible congenital oesophageal stenosis. (6) A child who impacts a foreign body in the oesophagus, particularly in the distal half of the oesophagus, should have a follow-up oesophagram after removal of the foreign body to assess the possibility of congenital oesophageal stenosis.