Vascular ring

Vascular ring
Classification and external resources
Specialty	medical genetics
ICD-10	Q25.4
ICD-9-CM	747.21
MedlinePlus	007318
eMedicine	med/2981

A vascular ring is a congenital defect in which there is an abnormal formation of the aorta and/or its surrounding blood vessels. The trachea and esophagus are completely encircled and sometimes compressed by a "ring" formed by these vessels, which can lead to breathing and digestive difficulties.

Most often this is because of persistence of the double aortic arch after the second month of fetal life.

Presentation

The two arches surround the esophagus and trachea which, if sufficiently constrictive, may cause breathing or swallowing difficulties despite medical therapies.

A less common ring is present with a right aortic arch instead of the usual left-sided aortic arch. This compresses the esophagus and trachea because of the persistence of a ductal ligament (from fetal circulation) that may connect between the aorta on the front and the left subclavian artery posteriorly going to the left arm.

Treatment

It is sometimes treated with surgery.^[1]

References

↑ Bonnard A, Auber F, Fourcade L, Marchac V, Emond S, Révillon Y (April 2003). "Vascular ring abnormalities: a retrospective study of 62 cases". J. Pediatr. Surg. 38 (4): 539–43. doi:10.1053/jpsu.2003.50117. PMID 12677561.

Congenital vascular defects / Vascular malformation (Q25–Q28, 747)

Great arteries/
other arteries

Aorta	Patent ductus arteriosus Coarctation of the aorta Interrupted aortic arch Double aortic arch Right-sided aortic arch Overriding aorta Aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva Vascular ring

Pulmonary artery	Pulmonary atresia Stenosis of pulmonary artery

Subclavian artery	Aberrant subclavian artery

Umbilical artery	Single umbilical artery

Great veins

Superior/inferior vena cava	Congenital stenosis of vena cava Persistent left superior vena cava

Pulmonary vein	Anomalous pulmonary venous connection (Total, Partial) Scimitar syndrome

Arteriovenous malformation

Cerebral arteriovenous malformation

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