Complete vascular ring leading to long-term tracheal compression in a young adult

Abstract

Vascular ring is usually an isolated anomaly of embryonic development leading to compression of the encircled trachea and/or esophagus. Double aortic arch is the most commonly encountered form of vascular ring. Vascular rings may either be symptomatic shortly after birth or less commonly, they may persist with mild symptoms until they are diagnosed later in life. In this report, we present a case of double aortic arch forming a complete VR and tracheal compression in a young adult with long term respiratory symptoms. 14 years old female patient had been followed up with recurrent respiratory tract infections since her infancy period. The patient was evaluated by computed tomography and a complete vascular ring due to double aortic arch was demonstrated. The patient was operated; right arcus aorta was divided and tracheal compression was released. Postoperative period was uneventful and symptoms of tracheal compression were dramatically reduced in intensity. Vascular rings must be considered in patients with recurrent respiratory symptoms, since early diagnosis and treatment are important to prevent the long term sequelae of tracheobronchial compres- sion.