Persistent wheezing along with apparent stridor caused by a rare anomaly: double aortic arch

Şule Gökçe1, Nüsabe Abdullayeva1, Feyza Koç2

  • 1MD, Ege University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, General Pediatrics Unit, Ege University, Bornova, Izmir, Turkey.

Tropical Doctor
|September 28, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Vascular rings, rare aortic arch anomalies, can cause infant breathing issues. This case highlights a double aortic arch presenting as wheezing and stridor in a 10-month-old.

Area of Science:

  • Congenital cardiovascular anomalies
  • Pediatric respiratory diseases

Background:

  • Vascular rings are rare congenital abnormalities stemming from aberrant development of the aortic arch complex.
  • These anomalies can lead to significant tracheo-oesophageal compression in infants.

Observation:

  • A 10-month-old infant presented with persistent wheezing and stridor.
  • Clinical symptoms suggested potential airway obstruction.

Findings:

  • The patient was diagnosed with a double aortic arch, the most common type of vascular ring.
  • This specific anomaly was implicated as the cause of the infant's respiratory symptoms.

Implications:

  • Early diagnosis of vascular rings is crucial for managing pediatric respiratory distress.
  • Understanding the presentation of double aortic arch anomalies aids in timely intervention.
  • This case underscores the importance of considering vascular anomalies in infants with unexplained wheezing and stridor.

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