Complex Vascular Ring Diagnosed on Cardiovascular MR in a 3-Day-Old Infant.

Abstract

Prenatal ultrasonography in the early third trimester showed an unusual branching pattern of the right aortic arch. Echocardiography performed 4 h after birth showed the right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, patent ductus arteriosus, and patent foramen ovale. Because the location of the ductus arteriosus was unclear on echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging was performed 3 days after birth. Advanced techniques including contrast-enhanced time-resolved magnetic resonance angiography and 3D time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography allowed accurate diagnosis of a vascular ring comprising ascending and descending aorta, right aortic arch with mirror-image branching, and diverticulum of Kommerell giving rise to a left ligamentum arteriosum. The infant had hiccups, but no other symptoms. The esophagram was negative for obstruction. The infant was closely monitored; however, she developed esophageal obstruction at 7 months of age because of the vascular ring. She underwent lysis of the left ligamentum arteriosum followed by aortopexy for relief of esophageal obstruction. This report shows the utility of neonatal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate complex congenital aortic arch anomalies.