Langetermijngevolgen van slokdarmatresie: slokdarm en longafwijkingen op volwassen leeftijd

Esophageal atresia is a rare congenital anomaly. Due to increased survival rates, the population of adults born with this malformation is growing. These patients turn out to have an increased risk to develop Barrett's esophagus, esophageal carcinoma or lung abnormalities like bronchiectasis. This is illustrated by three cases: a 42-year-old man with an irresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma; a 23-year-old man with a Barrett's esophagus without any reflux complaints; and a 51-year-old women with a reflux esophagitis and extensive bronchiectasis due to a combination of gastroesophageal reflux with chronic aspiration and a reduced sputum clearance because of a history of tracheomalacia. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of these risks and the possible absence of symptoms, in order to detect abnormalities at an early stage and improve quality of life of these patients.