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Case Reports
. 2014 Jun 3:2014:bcr2013202164.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202164.

Vascular ring diagnosis following respiratory arrest

Evie Alexandra Robson  1 , Alison Scott  1 , Philip Chetcuti  2 , David Crabbe  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Vascular ring diagnosis following respiratory arrest

Evie Alexandra Robson et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Vascular rings can present with non-specific respiratory and/or oesophageal symptoms. Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. This case report describes an uncommon acute presentation of a vascular ring. We report a thriving 14-month-old child with a long history of recurrent wheeze and 'noisy breathing'. He presented acutely with food bolus impaction in the oesophagus which led to a respiratory arrest. Oesophagoscopy and bronchoscopy suggested vascular ring anomaly. A contrast-enhanced CT scan demonstrated a right-sided aortic arch with left ligamentum arteriosum encircling the oesophagus and airway. The ligament was ligated and divided. At follow-up 6 months later, the infant had mild persistent stridor but was otherwise well.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Images from the intravenous constrast-enhanced CT scan showing narrowing of distal trachea by a vascular ring formed from a right-sided aortic arch and persistent left ligamentum arteriosum.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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