[Congenital gastrointestinal tract obstructions (pictorial essay)].

A wide spectrum of congenital anomalies may cause obstruction in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Neonates with complete upper intestinal obstruction do not usually require further radiological evaluation after radiography. Barium studies are sometimes needed. Barium studies and other comprehensive methods such as ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are usually complementary procedures which are not usually helpful and may even delay surgery, resulting in some complications and death. The decision to perform a given imaging examination should be considered carefully to avoid unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient. The diagnosis of low intestinal obstruction is usually apparent at abdominal radiography because of the presence of many dilated loops. The differentiation between ileal and colonic obstruction can be made with a contrast enema study. Dilute ionic, water-soluble contrast agents and non-balloon tip catheter of appropriate size is preferred for neonatal contrast enemas. Barium sulphate suspensions typically should not be used because of their potential to exacerbate the impaction of meconium plugs in meconium ileus, whereas water-soluble enemas can be therapeutic.