Roentgen signs in laryngotracheoesophageal cleft.

The generally lethal congenital defeet, laryngotracheoesophageal cleft, is such an obvious deformity in an area readily studied by standardized roentgen technics that it seems paradoxical a correct preoperative roentgen diagnosis has yet to be reported. From a review of our case and the few other reports in the literature accompanied by radiographs, a diagnostic roentgen sign is proposed: overlapping of the contrast-filled anterior “trachea” and posterior “esophagus,” persisting unchanged in all phases of respiration despite careful, true lateral positioning. Or, to express it differently, the normal, negative, soft-tissue mass between the lumen of the trachea and esophagus cannot be demonstrated as it does not exist. This white male infant was born five weeks prematurely. Severe polyhydramnios complicated the last trimester. Physical examination and laboratory data were normal, but excessive mucus in the nasopharynx required repeated suctioning. A lusty cry was described. A radiograph of the chest showed...