Massive aspiration of barium sulfate in a child with esophageal atresia

The aspiration of barium sulfate is a well known complication occurring accidentally during a contrast examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Aspiration may occur under certain conditions, such as: lack of anatomical and functional intactness of oropharyngeal and esophageal segment, age, impaired act of swallowing, neuromuscular dysfunction, bronchoesofageal fistula, alcoholism, head and neck tumors, mental diseases and is often found in patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders. We are introducing a case with a child with esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula. The child was given a contrast examination of the esophagus with barium sulfate, and the presence of tracheo-esophageal fistula led to massive aspiration of the contrast substance in the lower lobe of the right lung. (authors) Key words: ASPIRATION. BARIUM SULFATE. CT WITH VBS