Abstract:

Objective To investigate the value of multislice CT in the diagnosis of tracheal stenosis caused by vascular ring malformation. Methods The imaging data of multislice CT of 99 cases of vascular ring malformation were retrospectively analysed. Maximum and minimum density project reconstructions were performed to observe the abnormal blood vessels and presence of tracheal stenosis. Results Forty-six of 52 cases of pulmonary sling were associated with tracheal stenosis, and it was illustrated by CT that the left pulmonary artery derived from the right pulmonary artery, extended backward and leftward between trachea and esophagus, encircled and compressed trachea to cause tracheal stenosis. Eighteen of 22 cases of double aortic arch were associated with tracheal stenosis, and it was illustrated by CT that the ascending aorta branched into left aortic arch and right aortic arch in front of trachea, merged in back of trachea after crossing left bronchus and right bronchus respectively and formed the vascular ring. One case of right aortic arch with persistent left ligament was associated with tracheal stenosis, and it was illustrated by CT that the aortic arch located right to the trachea, the arterial ductus derived from the proximal end of descending aorta, extending leftward in back of esophagus, and joined the origin of the left pulmonary artery to form the vascular ring. Eighteen of 24 cases of right aortic arch with aberrant left subclavian artery and left arterial ductus were associated with tracheal stenosis, and it was illustrated by CT that right aortic arch, aberrant left subclavian artery and left arterial ductus encircled the trachea and esophagus to form the vascular ring. Conclusion Vascular ring malformation is usually accompanied by tracheal stenosis. Multislice CT can well demonstrate the anatomy of vascular anomalies, and may have a precise evaluation of tracheal stenosis.

Key words: vascular ring, tracheal stenosis, multislice computed tomography