Imaging findings of iatrogenic pharyngeal and esophageal injuries in neonates

Iatrogenic injuries to the upper gastrointestinal tract in neonates are rare but may lead to significant morbidity and mortality if undiagnosed. The clinical presentation of such injuries is usually nonspecific and symptoms may be overlooked, particularly in sick preterm neonates. Therefore, it is important to recognize the findings on plain chest radiographs obtained regularly in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) on intubated patients. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to describe the imaging findings of various iatrogenic injuries to the pharynx and esophagus in the neonatal period in a cohort of seven cases.