Which gastrointestinal abnormality is a single bubble sign indicative of?

The single bubble sign is most indicative of congenital gastric outlet obstruction, which typically manifests on an X-ray as a large, single distended stomach with no distal gas in the bowel. This echo reflects that the contents of the stomach cannot pass into the intestine, leading to an accumulation of air and fluid. In infants, this condition can often be caused by pyloric stenosis, but other congenital factors may also contribute.

In contrast, malrotation would present with signs of bowel obstruction or volvulus and typically involves the intestines rather than just the stomach. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia usually shows dislocated bowel loops into the thoracic cavity or absence of lung tissue, rather than a single bubble appearance. Pneumatosis intestinalis refers to the presence of gas within the intestinal wall and is associated with severe conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis, which would not present as a simple single bubble in the stomach.

Understanding the typical imaging characteristics associated with these conditions helps in making accurate diagnoses in pediatric patients. The single bubble sign specifically correlates with the inability of the stomach to properly empty into the intestines, characteristic of gastric outlet obstruction.