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

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.