Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2026

Videomorphometric Analysis of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction of Intra-pulmonary Arteries Using Murine Precision Cut Lung Slices
13:32

Videomorphometric Analysis of Hypoxic Pulmonary Vasoconstriction of Intra-pulmonary Arteries Using Murine Precision Cut Lung Slices

Published on: January 14, 2014

[Vascular rings as a cause of the respiratory disturbances in children]

J Krzystolik-Ladzińska1, D Wiecek-Włodarska, K Guzikowski

  • 1Kliniki Kardiologii Dzieciecej Slaskiej, Akademii Medycznej w Katowicach.

Wiadomosci Lekarskie (Warsaw, Poland : 1960)
|September 13, 2000
PubMed

Insights

Vascular rings, rare causes of airway compression in children, require prompt diagnosis. Early identification through imaging is crucial for effective surgical intervention and improved outcomes in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Vascular rings are uncommon congenital anomalies causing tracheal and/or esophageal compression in pediatric patients.
  • Symptoms often mimic respiratory conditions like asthma, leading to delayed diagnosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a series of pediatric cases with vascular rings.
  • To highlight diagnostic methods and surgical outcomes.
  • To emphasize the importance of considering vascular rings in unexplained chronic cough.

Main Methods:

  • Review of 11 pediatric cases (3 months to 15 years) with various vascular ring types.
  • Diagnostic modalities included chest X-ray, echocardiography, bronchoscopy, angiography, and MRI.
  • Surgical correction was performed for all identified cases.

Main Results:

  • The study included 5 double aortic arch, 1 right aortic arch with left arterial ligament, 2 aberrant right subclavian arteries, and 3 pulmonary artery slings.
  • Primary surgical results were good, though one infant experienced fatal respiratory complications post-operatively.
  • Ten patients were initially referred from pulmonary departments, often misdiagnosed with asthma.

Conclusions:

  • Vascular rings necessitate a high index of suspicion in pediatric cases of unexplained chronic cough.
  • Comprehensive diagnostic imaging is essential for accurate identification.
  • Timely surgical intervention can lead to favorable outcomes, but vigilance for post-operative complications is required.

Related Concept Videos

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease01:29

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread pathogen that primarily targets infants and young children but also poses a serious health risk to elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Belonging to the Pneumoviridae family, RSV is a negative-sense, single-stranded RNA virus within the Pneumovirus genus. Its global health burden is significant, with millions of cases annually resulting in hospitalizations and mortality, particularly in resource-limited settings. Although most...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion01:30

Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion

Respiratory system abnormalities are a significant concern in healthcare due to their potential to indicate underlying severe conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, and pneumonia. These abnormalities can often be detected through physical examination methods like inspection and percussion.
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm01:29

Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm

Respiratory Depth
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:
Other Pulmonary Disorders01:17

Other Pulmonary Disorders

Respiratory disorders encompass a range of conditions with varying levels of severity. Asthma, marked by chronic airway inflammation and hypersensitivity, is one such condition. It can lead to airway obstruction due to factors like bronchial spasms, mucosal edema, increased mucus secretion, or epithelial damage. Asthma triggers are diverse, ranging from allergens to emotional upset, and treatment focuses on both immediate relief through bronchodilators and long-term inflammation suppression.
Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate01:20

Assessment of Ventilation I: Respiratory Rate

Assessment of Ventilation
A Ventilation assessment is critical for monitoring a patient's health status. Respiration, one of the most accessible vital signs, provides insights into the function of numerous body systems and can indicate serious health issues, such as brainstem injuries from head trauma.
Critical Guidelines for Assessing Ventilation: