Computed tomographic features of double aortic arch in six dogs

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Comparative Pathology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare congenital anomaly in small animals, forming a vascular ring that compresses the esophagus and trachea.
• Limited literature exists on the diagnostic imaging features of DAA in dogs, particularly using CT angiography (CTA).

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical and CT angiography (CTA) characteristics of double aortic arch (DAA) in juvenile dogs.
• To contribute to the understanding of DAA imaging features for improved diagnosis in veterinary medicine.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, multicenter case series analyzing medical records and CTA images of six juvenile dogs with surgically treated DAA.
• Evaluation of clinical signs, CTA findings including aortic arch dominance, aberrant vessels, and degree of esophageal and tracheal compression.

Main Results:

• Common clinical signs included chronic regurgitation, decreased body condition, and coughing.
• Key CTA findings were a dominant left aortic arch, aberrant right subclavian artery, esophageal constriction, and significant tracheal compression and curvature.
• Median tracheal luminal compression was 55%.

Conclusions:

• CT angiography (CTA) is crucial for the specific diagnosis of double aortic arch (DAA) in dogs, differentiating it from other vascular ring anomalies.
• Understanding these imaging features aids in timely and successful surgical intervention for DAA.