Traumatic pharyngeal pseudodiverticulum mimicking esophageal atresia.

Obstruction of passage of a catheter through esophagus in a newborn is mostly diagnosed as esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheo esophageal fistula (TEF). Rarely a traumatic instrumentation may produce pharyngeal or upper esophageal perforation and attempt at passage of a catheter may produce a false passage submucosally called pseudodiverticulum. Here it is present the case of a extremely premature (28 wk) and low birth weight (950 gms) newborn with traumatic laceration and pharyngeal pseudodiverticulum mimicking EA. The authors discuss the diagnostic characteristics and management of such a situation.