double bubble sign

dou·ble bub·ble sign

in pediatric radiology, appearance of the dilated air-filled stomach and duodenal bulb, associated with duodenal atresia or web, less often midgut volvulus.

A radiologic finding in which there are 2 distinct gas pockets in an upper GI radiocontrast study, seen in those with atresia of the 2nd segment of the duodenum, 20–30% of whom have Down syndrome; the larger left bubble corresponds to gastric gas; the smaller right bubble corresponds to gas in the duodenal bulb. The double bubble sign may also occur in an annular pancreas with/without duodenal atresia, duodenal stenosis, peritoneal bands and volvulus. The sign is correspondingly smaller if there is passage of air