Choristoma: esophageal stenosis, due to tracheobronchial remnants.

This communication describes one case treated by the authors and reviews 27 reports of congenital esophageal stenosis caused by tracheobronchial remnants. Histologic examination of the case showed respiratory mucous glands with respiratory epithelium and hyaline cartilage. The anomalies presumably result from failure of normal embryonic separation of the respiratory tract from the primitive esophagus. Primary resection is recommended as definitive treatment. Dilatation of the stenosis affords only temporary relief.