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Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Aortic Ring Assay
Published on: November 24, 2009
Surgical repair of a vascular ring: A frequently misdiagnosed disease
Alwaleed Al-Dairy1, Rahaf Ibrahim2, Angie Hawat2
1Cardiac Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Syria.
Insights
Early diagnosis and surgical repair of vascular rings, rare congenital anomalies causing airway compression, can resolve respiratory and feeding issues. This case highlights successful treatment in an 18-month-old boy.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Congenital Malformations
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Vascular rings are rare congenital anomalies.
- They can cause significant respiratory and feeding problems due to tracheoesophageal compression.
Background:
Vascular rings are rare congenital malformations that lead to various degrees of respiratory difficulties or feeding problems by forming a complete or partial ring that compresses the trachea, the esophagus, or both.
Case Presentation:
We describe the case of an 18-month-old boy with recurrent respiratory symptoms and dysphagia. Chest radiograph revealed slightly hyperinflated lung fields bilaterally. Barium esophagography suggested vascular ring anomaly. CT angiogram revealed a vascular ring, consisting of a double aortic arch, compressing the trachea and esophagus. The echocardiogram revealed did not reveal any associated congenital heart defect. He underwent a successful surgical repair. After a follow-up period of one year, the patient was free of respiratory problems and pulmonary infections, and without recurrence of dysphagia.
Clinical Discussion:
The clinical manifestations of vascular rings are heterogeneous. Vascular rings may be either asymptomatic or more frequently, may present with respiratory and/or gastrointestinal symptoms that depend on the degree of tightness of the ring and subsequent tracheoesophageal compression.
Conclusion:
A high index of suspicion is needed to make an early diagnosis so that timely treatment options may be offered to prevent prolonged and unnecessary treatments and life-threatening complications.
