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[Congenital vascular rings in children]
Insights
Congenital aortic arch anomalies in children can cause severe breathing and swallowing issues. Surgical correction of these vascular malformations leads to complete recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Congenital anomalies of the aortic arch are rare but can lead to significant pediatric morbidity.
- Vascular rings and aberrant arteries can cause extrinsic compression of the trachea and esophagus, resulting in dysphagia, dyspnea, and recurrent pulmonary infections.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases are presented with symptoms including dysphagia, dyspnea, and chronic pulmonary infections.
- Diagnostic imaging, including esophagography and aortic arch angiography, identified the specific aortic arch anomalies.
Findings:
- The first child had a double aortic arch, while the second child presented with an aberrant right subclavian artery.
- Surgical intervention involved dividing the atretic anterior arch and left ligamentum arteriosum in the first case, and revascularizing the aberrant right subclavian artery in the second.
Implications:
- Surgical correction of congenital aortic arch anomalies is effective in resolving associated respiratory and swallowing symptoms.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical management are crucial for favorable outcomes in children with these conditions.
Abstract:
Two children with symptoms of dysphagia, dyspnoea and chronic pulmonary infections secondary to anomalies of the aortic arch are presented. Diagnostic procedures included oesophagography and aortic arch angiography. These showed a double aortic arch in the first child and an aberrant right subclavian artery in the second one, leading to compression of both trachea and oesophagus. Both children underwent surgery: in the first child the atretic anterior arch and the left ligamentum arteriosum were divided; in the second child the aberrant right subclavian artery was divided at its origin from the descending aorta and connected to the ascending aorta. Follow-up examinations showed a complete recovery of both patients.