Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Jan;91(1):52-5.
doi: 10.1136/adc.2004.070250. Epub 2005 May 4.

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of suspected extrinsic tracheobronchial compression due to vascular anomalies

T H Malik  1 , I A Bruce, V Kaushik, D J Willatt, N B Wright, M P Rothera
Affiliations

The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of suspected extrinsic tracheobronchial compression due to vascular anomalies

T H Malik et al. Arch Dis Child. 2006 Jan.

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of children with suspected extrinsic tracheobronchial compression due to vascular anomalies.

Methods: Retrospective case note review in a tertiary referral centre. Twenty nine children who underwent dynamic laryngotracheobronchoscopy (DLTB) and were found to have a clinical suspicion of extrinsic tracheobronchial compression were evaluated. All subsequently underwent thoracic MRI within 10 days. The findings on endoscopy were compared to those of MRI, and where performed, echocardiography, aortography, and surgery.

Results: There were 17 males and 12 females (mean age 5 months, range 28 weeks gestation to 60 months). The most common presenting features were stridor and cyanotic episodes. MRI showed abnormalities in 21 patients. There were five vascular rings (three double aortic arches and two right aortic arches) and 11 cases of innominate artery compression. Other vascular anomalies noted included aberrant right subclavian artery and aneurysmal left pulmonary artery. Echocardiography was generally found to be unhelpful in the diagnosis of extra-cardiac vascular abnormalities. Angiography was subsequently conducted in eight children; findings agreed with those shown on MRI. Surgery was performed on all five vascular rings, one innominate artery compression, and one aneurysmal left pulmonary artery. Surgical findings were also compatible with the preoperative MRI.

Conclusions: This study shows the successful use of MRI as the initial imaging modality in endoscopically suspected extrinsic vascular compression of the upper airway. It enables accurate delineation of vascular anomalies and, unlike aortography, is non-invasive and does not require the use of contrast media.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: none

References

    1. Gustafson L M, Liu J H, Link D T.et al Spiral CT versus MRI in neonatal airway evaluation. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 200052197–201. - PubMed
    1. Erwin E A, Gerber M E, Cotton R T. Vascular compression of the airway: indications for and results of surgical management. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 199740155–162. - PubMed
    1. Zacharay C H, Myers J L, Eggli K D. Vascular ring due to right aortic arch with mirror‐image branching and left ligamentum arteriosus: complete preoperative diagnosis by magnetic resonance imaging. Pediatr Cardiol 20012271–73. - PubMed
    1. De Baets F, De Weghe V van, Smets A.et al Magnetic resonance imaging in tracheal compression by the innominate artery. Arch Dis Child 199369390–391. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Mahboubi S, Meyer J S, Hubbard A M.et al Magnetic resonance imaging of airway obstruction resulting from vascular abnormalities. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 199428111–123. - PubMed

Publication types