Tracheoesophageal compression due to congenital vascular anomalies (vascular rings)

Anomalies of the fetal aortic arch: a novel sonographic approach to in‐utero diagnosis

“…The most common association is tetralogy of Fallot (57%) 11 . In the second type of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery, the incidence of heart defects is only 10%; however, a higher incidence of vascular compression can be noted within this type 20 . The left subclavian artery in this classification arises as the last branch, occasionally originating from an aortic pouch known as Kommerell's diverticulum (remnant of the left dorsal aortic root).…”

“…Swallowing difficulties ('dysphagia lusoria') during adult life may be the only manifestations of such rings. Most individuals with persistent right aortic arch who do not present with heart disease, or those with a non-restrictive ring, are usually asymptomatic 11,20 . Although, in a previous, preliminary study, we described the use of transvaginal sonography in the diagnosis of fetal vascular rings 9 , the present study differs substantially because of its use of color Doppler, which made it possible for us to clearly visualize the ring components.…”

Aortopulmonary window and double aortic arch. A rare association

“…The diagnosis is usually made early when major defects are present because of the significant left-to-right shunt 1,2 . Double aortic arch [3][4][5] is usually an isolated anomaly; it may, however, occur in association with other defects, tetralogy of Fallot and transposition of the great arteries being the most common 6 . Its origin is persistency of structures present in embryonic life, namely the 4 th branchial arch on both sides.…”

“…Its origin is persistency of structures present in embryonic life, namely the 4 th branchial arch on both sides. When tracheoesophageal compression exists, the diagnosis is usually established during the first weeks of life 4,5 . The anomalies most commonly associated with aortopulmonary window are the following: aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery, interruption of the aortic arch 1,2,6-8 , tetralogy of Fallot, anomalous origin of the right coronary artery 8 , and the right aortic arch.…”

Xihong Hu, Guoying Huang, Mier Pa. Multidetector Computed Tomography for Assessing a Pulmonary Artery Sling in a Pediatric Patient. Pediatr Cardiol 2008; 29:1006–1007

“…Many surgeons require detailed preoperative information on the anatomy of the tracheobronchial tree [3]. Although dynamic changes of the airways during respiration and external pulsation of an adjacent artery (vascular ring) can only be assessed by FOB, VB helped us ''bypass'' the stenotic segment of the tracheal lumen (this was not possible with the 3.6-mm-diameter fiberoptic instrument) and demonstrate normal-sized orifices of the main bronchi.…”