Presentation
Patient presented with inspiratory stridor with feeding problems. CT was requested to evaluate for vascular ring.
Patient Data
The aorta arises from the left ventricle. The ascending aorta splits into a dominant right arch and smaller left arch which encircle the trachea and esophagus. The bilateral aortic arches unite posteriorly and form the descending aorta.
Volume rendered image showing double aortic with dominant right arch and hypoplastic left arch forming a vascular ring that surrounds the trachea and esophagus.
Case Discussion
Double aortic arch is a vascular ring anomaly due to failure of regression of both the right and left fourth branchial arches, resulting to right and left aortic arches, respectively. These two arches encircle and compress the trachea and esophagus, producing respiratory distress and feeding problems.