Vascular rings and slings

Vascular rings and slings refer to the congenital vascular encirclement of the esophagus and/or trachea by anomalous/aberrant vessels.

Epidemiology

Vascular rings are rare, occurring in <1% of patients . No gender or ethnic predispositions have been identified .

Clinical presentation

Many vascular rings and slings are asymptomatic although they can present in pediatric patients with wheezing/stridor, recurrent respiratory infections and/or dysphagia lusoria.

Pathology

Vascular rings can be classified as complete (mostly symptomatic) or incomplete (mostly asymptomatic) .

Etiology

Causes of vascular rings and slings commonly include :

Associations

Radiographic features

Radiographic features will differ depending on the underlying anomaly.

Plain radiograph

Abnormal contour to the trachea may be visible on plain film, as may a right sided aortic arch.

Fluoroscopy

On contrast esophagram (and air tracheogram), the pattern of indentations on the frontal and lateral views helps to narrow the differential:

CT/MRI
  • allow precise demonstration of the anomaly

Differential diagnosis

Possible considerations include:

See also 

Siehe auch: