The tracheo-esophageal stripe and the posterior tracheal band.

While recognizing the importance of the posterior tracheal band as described previously, the author wishes to emphasize the separate characteristics of the tracheo-esophageal stripe and emphasize its importance as a sign of air in the esophagus as well as possible underlying esophageal pathology. Any such band or stripe measuring 3 mm or more in the cervical or thoracic region should be viewed with some suspicion.