Intramural ganglion structures in esophageal atresia: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study.

Introduction and Aim. Disorders of esophageal motility causing dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux are frequent in survivors to esophageal atresia (EA) and distal tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). The aim of the present study was to investigate the histologic and immunohistochemical features in both esophageal atretic segments to further understand the nature of the motor disorders observed in these patients.

Intrinsic esophageal innervation in esophageal atresia without fistula.

Esophageal atresia and tracheo-esophageal fistula (EA + TEF) are often associated with malformations of neural crest origin. Esophageal innervation is also derived from the neural crest and it is abnormal in EA + TEF in which there is motor dysfunction. Our aim was to examine the intrinsic esophageal innervation in children with isolated EA in which different embryogenic mechanisms might be involved.